WINE COUNTRY

Fruit of the Vine

CALIFORNIA VINEYARDS

Sampling local wines is a popular activity in the many wine growing regions up and down the state. California wines became famous when a Chardonnay from Chateau Montelena in Napa Valley won the Judgment of Paris in 1976. It was an event that rocked the wine world, and the quality of California wines has only grown since then.

There are so many wines,

varieties and regions in California that figuring out where to go and what to taste can be daunting. Aside from taking a tour, one of the best ways to get acquainted with an area is by attending a local wine festival. Think of it as Wine-recon, a most delightful way to gather insight and information on local wineries in a short span of time. From large-scale food and wine fests to small, quirky events, wine festivals can cater to both the casual wine fan and the experienced wine enthusiast determined to discover the next great producer.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA COAST Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino, Livermore, Santa Cruz Mountains

The most famous California wine region by far is in Northern California. In October 2017 Napa and Sonoma experienced epic wildfires, but the surrounding residential neighborhoods and business communities sustained the brunt of the destruction. The wineries and vineyards escaped mostly unscathed with only a handful of properties suffering any significant damage. The beautiful scenery, stunning vineyards and world-class wineries the region is famous for are still here. Northern California Wine