Fun and Wine

California wine is a reflection of the land where they are produced and of the people who craft them.  The warm summer and rainy winter and spring in the coastal areas produce superior tasting wines. California wine areas believe in achieving the highest quality, best flavored wines through good stewardship of the land and using sustainable practices in winegrape growing.

The Spanish influence on most California wine is quite obvious. A vineyard was always part of the building of a California mission village during the 18th century. A vineyard would be the basic staple of each California mission that was built in the 18th cnetury. These vineyards were planted with the common black grape which was imported from Mexico. Up until the 20th century this variety, also known as the “Mission Grape”, was the dominant grape.

The gold rush period in California saw the biggest growth in residents as well as wineries in the Sonoma and Napa Valleys. During this time well known wine companies such as Buena Vista Winery, Charles Krug Winery, Inglenook Winery and Schramsberg Vineyard were founded.

California Wine Zones

California wine is produced in specific locales. They are separated in to 4 separate locations.  First, there is the North Coast region that refers to an area north of San Francisco that includes the Sonoma and Napa Valleys as well as Mendocino and Lake County. The second district would be the Central Coast areas west of San Francisco which reaches down into the Santa Barbara, Paso Robles and Santa Maria Valleys. Third on the list is the South Coast region which denotes the area south of Los Angeles all the way to Mexico which includes the Temecula Valley, Antelope Valley, San Pasqual, Ramona Valley, etc. The fourth region is the Central Valley which includes, of course, the central valley and the Sierra foothills and Lodi.

Types of Grapes and Wines

The California Wine country grows hundreds of variety of grapes. For instance, there are the French, Italian, Spanish grapes and new hybrids springin up each year.

The most familiar grape varieties are the Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot noir, Sauvignon blanc, Syrah and the Zinfandel. They also grow red wine grapes that you may be familiar with such as the Barbera, Grenache, Malbec, Petite Sirah and Sangiovese. Some white grapes are the Chenin blanc, Gewurztraminer, Pinot blanc, Pinot gris, and Riesling to name just a few.

The New World Style California Wine

California wine is often referred to as “New World” wine.  Because of the consistently warm weather they tend to use a riper grape that gives the wine a fruitier flavor as well as higher alcohol levels. The oak aged California wine making process produces a wonderful full body taste.

California Wines Earn High Marks

The locally treasured California wine has emerged as an international treasure as well. California is one of the most diverse winegrowing regions in the world and also one of the best sources for the premier wine of the month club.  Another wine club worth mentioning is the California wine club which offers offers premium California wines at great pricing.