Page 37 - 2014 Travel Guide to California

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA COAST
Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino, Livermore,
Santa Cruz Mountains
By far the most famous California wine
region is in Northern California. Napa
Valley is known around the world for its
exceptional wines and draws more visitors
than any other area. The quintessential
wine country experience was perfected
here, with more than 300 wineries vying
for your taste buds along Highway 29 and
the Silverado Trail.
Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay are
the signature grapes grown in the valley, but
other varieties have been making a strong
showing in the last decade. While the
majority of visitors head for the big-name
wineries such as Robert Mondavi, Beringer
FALL COLOR DRAPES THE ROLLING
hills of Sonoma Valley, left; grapes and
autumn leaves in Temecula, above.
and Sterling, those in the know are heading
for Coombsville, the newest official AVA in
Napa Valley. Located just minutes from
downtown Napa, Coombsville’s unusual
cool climate results in sensational Caber-
nets from grower/producers such as Meteor,
Sodaro, Caldwell and Farella. Most are open
by appointment only, but well worth the
effort to call and go.
For a more pastoral venue, wind your
way up highway 128 in Mendocino County
to The Madrones, a one-stop wine-tasting,
shopping and luxury lodging spot that
showcases wines of the Anderson Valley
from Drew, Bink, Knez and Signal Ridge.
The Madrones is also home to Stone &
Embers a casual trattoria featuring wood-
stove pizzas, house-made breads, vinegars
and preserves.
2014 T R AV E L G U I D E TO C A L I F O R N I A 35