Since 1896, when the first generation emigrated from Japan to California, the Mikami family has produced premium wine grapes. With three generations of experience, Mikami Vineyards’ extensive knowledge of the soil and climate of the Lodi appellation has translated into the production of exceptional quality wine.
Mikami Family circa 1925
The grape growing tradition of the Mikami family has been interrupted only once – during World War II when the family was relocated into internment camps in Rowher, Arkansas. In 1945, the family returned to Lodi with a renewed passion for grape farming and continued to be a part of the wine business, supplying premium grapes to various California wineries.
In the late 1960’s, the family turned its focus on the vineyard site where the current family home is located. Much of the vineyard was managed single-handedly by the late Jim Mikami, with nearly all aspects (field management, pruning, irrigation) done solely by the second generation Mikami.
Mikami Vineyards circa 1963
Mikami Vineyards consists of 15 acres with the history of the vineyard starting over a century ago in 1902 when the first grapevines were planted on site. Located sixty miles east of the Golden Gate Bridge, the vineyard is situated in the San Joaquin Valley between the San Francisco Bay and the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. During summer days, temperatures in the vineyard are cooled by maritime breezes from the bay creating favorable conditions for producing wine grapes with complex structure and intense fruit character.
Zinfandel has been grown on the vineyard since 1923, with the latest renovation to the site completed in 2005. Situated in some of the region’s best soil conditions, Mikami Vineyard’s mission fine sandy loam provides the ideal environment for varietals such as Zinfandel and Petite Sirah. Such soil conditions allow the vines to slowly draw water to produce uniform and balanced growth. Vines are planted with only 4 ft. spacing to force greater competition among the vines, helping to create more concentrated fruit.
Now in the family’s second century of farming, Mikami Vineyards produces single vineyard, hand crafted wines from the premier blocks of the family vineyard estate.