About Wine: California

Central Valley
There are four winegrowing districts within this region. Dunnigan Hills, the Sacramento Delta, Lodi/Woodbridge and the eastern hills of the Sacramento valley . The streams and rivers emerging from the Sierra Nevada mountain range provide an abundance of fresh water that is used to grow the many varieties of winegrapes in this region. The top four varieties grown in this area are Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Zinfandel.

Mendocino
Mendocino County is part of California's famous North Coast wine region. Directly north of Sonoma County, Mendocino County begins about 90 miles north of San Francisco. The Mendocino wine region is bounded by California's Coastal Mountain Range, the Pacific Ocean , and the great northern redwood forests. Mendocino's vineyards are divided among several small Mayacamas and Coastal Range mountain valleys, following the drainages of the Russian and Navarro Rivers. Vineyards rise from the river plains, onto the benchlands above.

Napa Valley
Beginning in Vallejo just north of Oakland, the Napa valley stretches about 35 miles northward along route 29. In most parts, it is only a few miles wide with low volcanic hills defining its sides. The flat valley floor and the surrounding hillsides are covered with orchards and vineyards. Small towns and villages like Napa, Yountville, Rutherford and Calistoga are set amidst the quaint farmlands. Signs near every intersection invite you to free tours and free wine tastings at famous wineries. Some of the wineries are located at small farms, while the larger wineries are run by large corporations.

Sonoma
The Sonoma County region begins at Petaluma about 30 miles north of the San Francisco Bay area and extends north to near Healdsburg. It includes an area about 35 miles long by 35 miles wide containing broad flat fields, gently rolling hills and parts of the adjacent Pacific Coast. Highway 101 bisects the district with the town of Santa Rosa near its center. Sonoma County is divided into several sub-districts such as Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley, Russian River Valley and Sonoma Valley. Santa Rosa and its neighboring towns, nestled among the rural farmlands and vineyards, offer some great restaurants, inns and spas.

South Central Coast
The region is dominated by a long, narrow corridor of coastal mountain ranges and includes several valleys with some of the state's most agriculturally and economically productive land. The stretches of level ground boast deep alluvial soils, mild climate (allowing year-round growing), good water supply, and low air pollution. Paso Robles at its northern extreme to Santa Ynez Valley at its southern reaches to the cooler vineyards of Edna, Arroyo Grande and Santa Maria valleys in between. Los Alamos, Los Olivos, and the Santa Ynez Valley complete the collection of unique winegrowing locales on the Central Coast.

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