Well, I had initially planned the featured wine this month to be Pinotage since I thought that September was Pinotage month. Good thing I couldn’t really find any here in Hawaii because October is actually the month that we celebrate that particular wine. When I went to look back at my calendar I realized September is actually CALIFORNIA WINE MONTH! So here we are, celebrating all the greatness that encompasses California wine.

I’ve gone back and forth on this website, trying to decide how I want to focus each post. First I started with a very specific beer, wine or spirit and then I made it broader to a type of wine, beer or spirit. Now I guess I am going regional. I suppose that until someone complains, I’ll just keep doing what I’m doing. What I’m doing is whatever the heck I want! If you have any questions, post ideas, or recommendations for cocktails, spirits, beers, or wines please don’t hesitate to send them my way. I’d love the engagement.

California Wine History

Winemaking in the United States has two differing stories. These two stories are based on location within the country. The East Coast winemaking dates back to the 1500’s with French Huguenots in Florida and into the 1600’s with the colonists in Jamestown. In the West winemaking began with Franciscan mission plantings which were in present day Texas and New Mexico. Then it moved into California in the seventeenth century.

By the late 1800’s some terrible things happened. The wine louse phylloxera made it’s way to California. This was devastating for wine growers in the area. Then as they were making their way to replanting and recovering Prohibition started. While wine was still allowed for the use of sacramental reasons, Prohibition cut into the wine trade severely.

By the time of the repeal of Prohibition in 1933, approximately 100 wineries were still around. This was also in the middle of The Great Depression….and then World War Two. All of this cluster of craziness ensured that it took decades for the wine industry to recover.

In the 1960’s and 1970’s the industry began a steady uprise with wine makers like Robert Mondavi and many others who helped to put California on the map. When I was taking my Introductory Sommelier Course one of the stories I remember was the famous blind tasting in 1976in Paris. The Judgment of Paris had two California wine makers dominate over French wines from Burgundy and Bordeaux. Talk about GAME CHANGING!

Some of the most recent data shows that California now produces approximately 85-90% of all wine made in the United States. When you’re looking at global wine production, California makes up about 10-15% of the world’s total wine output. This makes California one of the largest wine-producing regions in the world, behind countries like Italy and France.

Seven Infamous California Wine Regions

Napa Valley

Renowned worldwide, Napa Valley is synonymous with premium wine. Its combination of climate, soil, and innovative winemaking has made it a top destination.

Key Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay.

Sonoma County

Just west of Napa, Sonoma offers a more laid-back vibe with a diverse range of microclimates. It’s known for its high-quality wines and beautiful landscapes.

Key Varietals: Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Chardonnay.

Paso Robles

This region is rapidly gaining fame for its robust red wines and Rhône varietals. The warm climate and varied terrain contribute to unique flavor profiles.

Key Varietals: Zinfandel, Syrah, Grenache.

Santa Barbara County

Famous for its cool climate and coastal influence, Santa Barbara is known for exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The region has gained some fame from films like Sideways.

Key Varietals: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah.

Central Coast

Encompassing a wide area from San Francisco to Santa Barbara, this region is known for its diverse terroir and innovative winemaking practices.

Key Varietals: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel.

Mendocino County

Known for its commitment to organic and sustainable practices, Mendocino produces distinctive wines and offers stunning natural beauty.

Key Varietals: Pinot Noir, Zinfandel.

Sierra Foothills

Rich in history and known for old-vine Zinfandel, this region has a rugged landscape and is celebrated for its bold, flavorful wines.

Key Varietals: Zinfandel, Barbera.

These regions not only produce exceptional wines but also attract wine enthusiasts from around the globe, contributing to California’s status as a wine destination.

Visiting California Wineries

There are so many ways to visit California wineries. Self driven tours, walking and biking tours, wine festivals, tasting rooms, wine club memberships and even online tastings! There are a plethora of options out there for you. Check out websites like TripAdvisor. I simply searched “Wine Tasting California” and this is what it came up with! You can also refer back to my post about Airbnb Experiences and check out how to use that website for some trips to take.