California Wine Guide: Explore the Wine Regions of California

The history of California’s wine regions traces back to the arrival of the Spanish.

• Origin: The history of winemaking in California began around 1770 when Spanish missionaries planted the first wine grapes. Their Mission grapes remained the dominant grape in the area until the mid-nineteenth century, when the California Gold Rush (and the spread of vineyard-destroying phylloxera throughout Europe) prompted a surge of demand for California wine, especially around the San Francisco Bay Area.
• Decline: The state’s thriving wine industry began to decline in 1920 when the US government enacted Prohibition, a nationwide ban on the production, sale, and transportation of alcohol. The short-lived constitutional alcohol ban decimated the state’s wine industry, bringing the number of wineries from 2,500 to less than 100.
• Revival: Shortly after the repeal of Prohibition in 1933, the Wine Institute of California was established to help rebuild the state’s wine industry. Reviving the industry amid the Great Depression and World War II was a major challenge, but by the 1970s, wine production in the state took off again, reaching record levels. Today, there are more than 2,600 bonded wineries in the state, all within over 100 American Viticultural Areas (AVAs).

In Europe, winemakers often stress the importance of the land, or terroir, and producers label bottles according to regions. In California, regional designations are less important because the state’s native grapes are not suitable for winemaking, so all of the state’s world-class wines come from international grape varieties. The most popular grapes in California are:

1. 1. Chardonnay: Chardonnay is the most popular white wine in the world. The green-skinned grape originated in the Burgundy region of France but now grows in almost all major wine regions across the globe, from Chile to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa.
2. 2. Cabernet Sauvignon: Cabernet sauvignon is a full-bodied, acidic wine made from the international red wine grape variety of the same name.
3. 3. Zinfandel: Zinfandel is a red wine grape variety that is commonly grown in California. The grape makes robust, aromatic, juicy wines that are high in alcohol.
4. 4. Merlot: Merlot fares well in various climates and soils; thus, it is grown in many winemaking regions worldwide. Merlot is a smooth wine with low acidity and lower tannin levels than other red wines.
5. 5. Pinot noir: Pinot noir is a versatile grape used to make both red and white wines. Pinot noir grapes are light red and translucent because of the water they retain while on the vine.
6. 6. Syrah: Syrah is an international red grape variety used to make high-quality wine. Syrah is the sixth-most grown grape in the world.
7. 7. Sauvignon blanc: Sauvignon blanc is one of the most popular white wine grapes in the world, prized for its unique citrusy, fruity aroma, and refreshingly high acidity.

The North Coast is the most famous wine-producing region in the state, and it includes the following counties:

1. 1. Mendocino County: Mendocino County is the northernmost wine-growing region in California. Located on the north coast of California, Mendocino has a cooler climate and is home to Anderson Valley, Redwood Valley, Potter Valley, Mendocino Ridge, McDowell Valley, and Yorkville Highlands AVAs.
2. 2. Lake County: Southeast of Mendocino County and just north of Napa Valley lies Lake County, which covers the High Valley, Clear Lake, and Guenoc Valley AVAs.
3. 3. Napa County: Napa County is home to Napa Valley, one of the most famous wine regions in the world. With a warmer, drier climate than most other areas on the north coast, Napa consistently produces some of California’s best wines.
4. 4. Sonoma County: An hour north of San Francisco, Sonoma County is home to the Russian River Valley, Green Valley, Dry Creek Valley, Alexander Valley, Knights Valley, Fort Ross-Seaview, and Sonoma Valley AVAs. Sonoma is second only to Napa in reputation. Together, the two regions make up California’s beloved “wine country.”

Central California encompasses both the Central Coast (renowned for its high-end wines and tasting rooms) and the Central Valley (an important agricultural area known for mass-produced bottles). Significant AVAs, from north to south, include:

• Livermore Valley: Livermore Valley has a similar climate to northern Napa Valley but has gravel-based soil. Livermore specializes in dessert wines and grapes from the Bordeaux region of France.
• Santa Clara Valley: Located within Silicon Valley, Santa Clara Valley is a major center of wine tourism. Most of Santa Clara’s vineyards are located between the Diablo and Santa Cruz Mountains.
• Paso Robles: Paso Robles is the best known AVA in San Luis Obispo County, famous for its zinfandel and cabernet sauvignon.
• Santa Maria Valley: Spread across Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties, Santa Maria is the oldest AVA in Central California. Its cool, coastal climate is perfect for growing grape varieties like pinot noir and chardonnay.

Warm and dry, Southern California is less renowned for wine than other parts of the state. However, there are some unique AVAs in the South Coast region, including:

• Temecula Valley: Located in a desert region between Los Angeles and San Diego, Temecula growers have had success with hot-weather varieties like grenache, syrah, and tempranillo.
• San Pasqual Valley: San Pasqual Valley in San Diego is known for its Rhône-style wines.

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