California's Big Four Wine Regions

The state of California was first introduced to grapelocation of every California A.V.A., it is wise to pay
vines in the 18th century by the Spanish, whovery close attention to Napa and its sub-appellations.
planted vineyards with each mission they established.Central Coast
The wine was used for religious sacraments as wellIncludes most of the Central Coast of California and
as for daily life. The vine cuttings used came fromthe area south and west of San Francisco Bay down
Mexico and were the descendant of the "commonto Santa Barbara County. The large Central Coast
black grape" (as it was known) brought to the NewAVA. Notable wine regions in this area include Santa
World by Herna¡n Cortas in 1520.Clara Valley AVA, Santa Cruz Mountains AVA, San
California has over 427,000 acres (1,730 km2) plantedLucas AVA, Paso Robles AVA, Santa Maria Valley
under vines and ships close to 500 million gallons ofAVA and Santa Ynez Valley. Most Notable:
wine per year accounting for almost 90% of thePaso Robles: Centrally located between San Francisco
total wine produced in the United States. There areand Los Angeles along California's Central Coast and is
over 107 American Viticultural Areas (AVAs), includingthe fastest growing A.V.A. in California. Varietal's
the well known Napa, Russian River Valley,produced primarily Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zin,
Rutherford and Sonoma Valley AVAs. The CentralChardonnay, home to Vina Robles Winery.
Valley is California's largest wine region stretching forSanta Lucia Highlands Located in Monterey County, at
300 miles (480 km) from the Sacramento Valley1200sqft above sea level, primary grape produced is
south to the San Joaquin Valley. This one regionChardonnay; most notable wines produced are
produces nearly 75% of all California wine grapes andsourced from winery located in another region of
includes many of California's bulk, box and jug wineCalifornia.
producers like Gallo, Franzia and Bronco WineSouth Coast
Company.Includes portion of Southern California, namely the
Over a hundred grape varieties are grown incoastal regions south of Los Angeles down to the
California including French, Italian and Spanish wineborder with Mexico. Notable wine regions in this area
varietals as well as hybrid grapes and new vitisinclude Temecula Valley AVA, Antelope Valley/Leona
vinifera varieties developed at the UC DavisValley AVA, San Pasqual Valley AVA and Ramona
Department of Viticulture and Enology. The sevenValley AVA.
leading grape varieties are: Cabernet Sauvignon,Traditionally, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon
Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot noir, Sauvignon blanc,grapes dominated the acreage here. However, in
Syrah, Zinfandel. North Coastrecent times the climate of the South Coast has
The North Coast includes most of the northern coastfostered a new age of growing hearty Rhone, Italian
of California, north of San Francisco Bay. The largeand Spanish grapes, perfect for red varietals such as
North Coast AVA covers most of the region. Notablebold Syrah, spicy Tempranillo and white varietals such
wine regions include Napa Valley and Sonoma Countyas crisp Pinot Grigio.
and the smaller sub AVAs within them. MendocinoThere are almost twenty-five wineries in this area.
and Lake County are also part of this region.Callaway Vineyard & Winery is the largest
Napa Valley is California's 3rd highest touristproducer; others include Maurice Car'rie Vineyards
destination behind the Golden Gate Bridge and& Winery, Culbertson Winery, and Mount
Disneyland and worthy of its own discussion. SomePalomar.
of the worlds biggest names can be found within thisCentral Valley
small section of the North Coast region. North Coast's- Includes California's Central Valley and the Sierra
Napa ValleyFoothills AVA. Notable wine regions in this area include
North Coast's Napa Valleythe Lodi AVA and Clarksburg AVA. Central Valley
Joseph Phelps: Most notable for Bordeaux style red,Wineries produces the majority of the state's wine,
vineyards in Stags Leap, Rutherford, St. Helena andyet few producers use the name on their label. This
Oakville.is because many people associate the region with
Cakebread Cellars: Reputation built on big, richmass produced, cheap wines. Some notable areas:
Chardonnays, first vintage bottled in 1973, primaryLodi: Primarily small family farms, Zinfandel do very
vineyard is Rutherford A.V.A.well in the area. Abundance Winery is located here
Opus One: Founded in 1979 as collaboration ofand we carry many wines sourced from this A.V.A.
Mondavi and Rothschild, Bordeaux style blend of Cab,Clarksburg: Clarksburg Wineries are located in the
Cab franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot Silver OakSacramento Delta. Much of the fruit is purchased by
WineryPrimary focus on Cabernet Sauvignon withnon-resident wine producers, but a handful of
vineyards in Alexander Valley A.V.A. and OakvilleClarksburg wineries are turning heads with Chenin
A.V.A.Blanc and Petite Sirah.
Although it is not required to memorize the history or