Elegant estates at the end of country roads lined with vineyards…Low-key wineries housed in converted barns… Urban wine trails with hip in-town tasting rooms… Sound like something you’re interested in? Then California is for you. California’s wine country is as varied as the state itself; here are just some of the region’s best wine countries in celebration of California Wine Month.

 

 

Sonoma has many distinctions, but here’s one to note: it grows more Pinot Noir than any other county in the state. Gourmet farm and vineyard dinners are common here, an expression of the area’s great wine, homegrown culinary culture and love of the great outdoors. Sonoma County is a dream destination for amazing wine, breath-taking ocean views, spectacular summits, impossibly tall trees and unforgettable epicurean experiences. Visit Sonoma County wineries to experience the breadth of wines and experiences awaiting you.

 

First recognised at the Judgment of Paris in 1976, Napa Valley’s world-renowned wines have found an equal match in the region’s cuisine. From Morimoto’s exquisite Japanese fusion, to Thomas Keller’s Michelin-starred French Laundry and Tacos Michoacan’s casual roadside spice, you’ll find tasty cuisine around every corner. Though just 30 miles long and a few miles wide, Napa Valley is home to diverse microclimates and soils uniquely suited to the cultivation of a variety of fine wine grapes. Among the internationally acclaimed wines produced in this small region are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel and Cabernet Franc.

Santa Barbara has long been a favourite hideaway for movie stars, from Charlie Chaplin to Jane Russell, Nick Nolte and Oprah Winfrey. It’s also a famous wine destination, immortalised in 2004 by the film Sideways, which celebrated the area’s signature Pinot Noir. The unique, transverse nature of the valleys of Santa Barbara Wine Country along the Pacific Ocean provides a patchwork quilt of micro-climates and terrains, resulting in one of the most diverse grape growing regions in the world. The family-owned and operated wineries and vineyards invite to you come for a taste.

 

Amador is old vine country; nearly 600 acres of the county’s vines are at least 60 years old, while several vineyards date to the 19th century. Nestled in the heart of Gold Country, this region is known for its rich history and rich reds. Experience wine country the way it used to be; quaint, family-owned and nestled along scenic back roads in some of California’s most picturesque rural settings, where chatting with the winemaker isn’t all that uncommon and unpretentious hospitality is the norm. Where gold once reigned, a new treasure is produced: the superb wines which have earned Amador County international acclaim.

 

Located between the San Francisco Bay and the Sierra Nevada Mountains lies Lodi Wine Country, a region quickly emerging as one of California’s most exciting wine destinations. Over the past decade 4th- and 5th-generation winegrowers dedicated to the soils and vines have brought creative winemaking and cutting-edge technology to the region, catapulting Lodi into the spotlight. Wine grapes came to Lodi with the Gold Rush. Lodi’s wine industry continued to flourish through prohibition thanks to farmers who maintained their crops for legally sanctioned “home winemaking.” It is those same vines from which today’s Lodi vintners craft some of the country’s finest Zinfandel.

 

With its long beaches and temperate Mediterranean climate, San Diego County is one of California’s most popular tourist destinations. Established in the 1700s, this region has been growing grapes longer than nearly any other county in the state. With 115 wineries throughout the county, San Diego continues to gain attention from wine enthusiasts across the country who recognise its potential to become the next celebrated wine region.

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