Best California Wine Regions

California is home to some amazing wine regions. So many in fact, it can be hard to know which ones to visit. Sure most people have heard about the Napa and Sonoma Valleys, but are these the best regions to visit? Well both produce incredible wines, so in this case, we’d say the hype is worth it, but the are far from the only top spots making fantastic wine these days. Here we’ve outlined why the following five regions are our favorites in California.

Mendocino Anderson Valley

The wine region around the coastal town of Mendocino on California’s north coast isn’t as well known, which means the tasting rooms are nice and quiet. The wineries you’ll find here are still small affairs, but they produce excellent wines. Mendocino itself makes for a lovely base. It is a romantic town, that even when cloaked in fog, remains charming. Try the old fashioned Mendocino Hotel for somewhere to sleep.

The Napa Valley

Not only famous in California, but also the world, the Napa Valley produces some of the top Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnays around. It’s also home to many award-winning restaurants, chic boutique hotels and classy B&Bs, not to mention stunning countryside. There are also literally hundreds upon hundreds of vineyards to choose from in this region, so unless you know what you are looking for, it may be best to book a private guided tour. Savor Napa Valley Wine Tours, for instance, is run by a local and tailors each itinerary specifically to the client’s wine preferences. This way you get to experience some wonderful hidden gems that you might otherwise have missed, and not waste time on vineyards that won’t match your style. Another benefit of a private tour, is reservations for tasting rooms will be made in advance, so you won’t have to wait in line to sip.

Sonoma County

Adjacent to Napa, and often grouped with it in travel guides, Sonoma is still the less touristy of the two destinations, and offers a variety of excellent wineries from small and family owned to mega conglomerates. There are also many great places to stay and eat in the small towns around the county, and beautiful byways linking vineyards leave for breathtaking driving.

Paso Robles Wine Region

About halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, Paso Robles is an up-and-coming popular region with many new and exciting small wineries. The climate and terrain here are varied, which also gives winemakers more choice in picking varietals. For tasting, we like the less crowded feel, as well as the quiet roads and farm stalls you’ll find along the way. There are lesson options for sleeping and eating than in Napa, but still enough to satisfy for a weekend getaway.

Santa Barbara

The wine region around swanky Santa Barbara is absolutely gorgeous to drive. The wines are also very good, and this area is known for Pinot Moir and Syrah wines created in a mix of big and small vineyards. On the downside, vineyards here are spread out and nearly all charge a $5.00 tasting fee.