California
California is a wine region in the United States. California anchors American wine, from cool coastal vineyards to warm inland regions producing ripe, full-bodied reds.
Where it is
Map data: Natural Earth
Places in California
Anderson Valley
A narrow, fog-influenced valley in Mendocino, with cool conditions suited to sparkling wine and fresh still wines.
Central Coast
California's long coastal wine region, known especially for Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Rhône varieties.
Paso Robles
A warm, dry inland California region with a very wide swing between day and night temperatures.
Russian River Valley
A fog-cooled Sonoma valley known for red-fruited Pinot Noir and fresh, bright Chardonnay.
Santa Barbara County
A stretch of California coast where the valleys run east to west, letting cool ocean air reach far inland.
Napa Valley
America's defining Cabernet Sauvignon region, known for ripe fruit, full body, and polished tannin.
Sonoma County
A diverse California county spanning cool coastal Pinot Noir and Chardonnay to warmer inland reds.
Alexander Valley
A warm Sonoma valley along the Russian River, with gravelly benchland on the floor and cooler hillside sites above it.
Explore
Classic styles
- Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
- California Zinfandel
- Napa Valley Chardonnay
- California Cabernet Sauvignon
Grapes
Producers in California
Aperture Cellars
A Sonoma winery that Jesse Katz founded in 2009, making Bordeaux-style reds from Alexander Valley and an estate in Healdsburg.
Arnot-Roberts
A California partnership founded in 2001 by Duncan Arnot Meyers and Nathan Lee Roberts, working uncommon grapes such as Trousseau alongside Syrah and Chardonnay from sites across the state.
Clos Saron
A Sierra Foothills estate making Pinot Noir from a 4,500-vine home vineyard, with no fining or filtration.
Drew Family Cellars
A small Mendocino Ridge winery near the California coast, founded in 2000 by Jason and Molly Drew, making cool-climate Pinot Noir and Syrah.
Hartford Court
Hartford Court is the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay label of Hartford Family Winery, based in Sonoma’s Russian River Valley and focused on individual vineyard sites.
Meiomi
A California brand started by Joseph Wagner of the Caymus family, whose Pinot Noir blends grapes from Sonoma, Monterey and Santa Barbara counties.
Ryme Cellars
A Sonoma winery making two Vermentinos from the same grape: His with skin contact and Hers pressed immediately.
Unti Vineyards
A family winery in Sonoma's Dry Creek Valley that grows Italian and Rhône grapes such as Sangiovese, Fiano and Grenache beside Zinfandel.
Wentworth Vineyard and Ranch
A small Mendocino County estate making Pinot Noir from Nash Mill Vineyard in the Anderson Valley and from a ridge-top vineyard just 3.5 miles from the Pacific.