The Sloughhouse appellation, located in the northeastern corner of Lodi, has 78,800 acres total, of which 7,000 are currently under vine. Sloughhouse is the warmest of the Lodi appellations with upland elevations of 590 feet. Situated on the western foothills of the Sierra Range, it receives the least moderation from cooling Pacific Ocean winds that funnel up the Sacramento Delta, resulting in less fog but higher annual precipitation. Sloughhouse separates the valley and mountains and is described as transitional terrain of diverse topography, low vigor soils and great climactic variation. Among its signature grape varieties are Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Zinfandel.

~ David Chandler, Lodi Regional Correspondent