Page 39 - 2014 Travel Guide to California

has one of the most tantalizing tasting-
room offerings in the state. Along with
flights of Sangivose, Viognier and
Cabernet they pour soda flights—Root
Beer, Orange Cream, Cola, Black Cherry
and Cream Soda—all hand crafted with the
same attention to detail as their wine. The
$10 Soda Tasting Flight is suitable for vis-
itors 8 and up and includes a bag of
gourmet popcorn and a bottle of root beer
to take home.
wineries are grouped along Rancho Cali-
fornia and De Portola roads, including the
popular Cougar Winery and Robert Ren-
zoni that specialize in Italian varieties.
For an unusual tasting experience, Sun-
rider tours offers a Jeep safari adventure
through the vines of Temecula including
sampling of more than 18 different wines.
California is known for innovation and
imagination, so it’s not too far fetched to
imagine the state’s biggest attractions, Hol-
lywood and wine, collaborating to create a
fantasy Wineland. But until that day, all
you need to experience the best of Cali-
fornia wine is a map and the interest. No E
ticket required.
» FIND A WINERY
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
& CENTRAL VALLEY
Santa Barbara, Santa Rita Hills, Santa
Ynez Valley, Los Olivos, Temecula, Lodi,
Madera, Clarksburg
The coastal region of Southern California
includes the Santa Barbara, Santa Rita Hills
and Santa Ynez Valley growing regions,
with Santa Ynez Valley becoming the
poster child for wine tourism since the
2004 film Sideways confirmed its status as
a Pinot Noir hot spot (or cool spot, as Pinot
grapes don’t take well to too much heat).
Downtown Santa Barbara has a handful of
tasting rooms that are within walking dis-
tance of each other, and an urban winery,
Jaffurs Wine Cellars, producing Rhone
varietals with grapes sourced from Santa
Barbara county vineyards.
Zinfandel grows well in the Central
Valley, a major agricultural region that
runs down the middle of the state from
Sacramento to Bakersfield. Two favorites
in Lodi are the Berghold Estate Winery and
Michael-David Winery, best known for its
7 Deadly Zins blend.
Still emerging as a wine destination,
Southern California’s mostly hot and arid
region is not as well developed as points
north, but Temecula in particular is gener-
ating an ardent following for its wines and
sheer determination to grow grapes in a
challenging location. The majority of
GUIDE TO CALIFORNIA WINE
californiawineryadvisor.com
WINERIES & VINEYARDS
Northern California Coast
robertmondavi.com
beringer.com
sterlingvineyards.com
themadrones.com
meteorvineyard.com
farella.com
sodarowines.com
caldwellvineyard.com
Santa Lucia Highlands
talbottvineyards.com
mersoleilvineyard.com
hahnestates.com
Southern California &
Central Valley: Temecula
cougarvineyards.com
robertrenzonivineyards.com
Santa Barbara
jaffurswine.com
ferrari-carano.com
lafollettewines.com
marimarestate.com
macphailwine.com
windgapwines.com
hookandladderwinery.com
jordanwinery.com
partakebykj.com
Sierra Foothills
boegerwinery.com
sobonwine.com
amadorcellars.com
terrerougewines.com
twistedoak.com
Central Coast: Monterey
atasteofmonterey.com
Paso Robles
peachycanyon.com
greywolfcellars.com
jlohr.com
tablascreek.com
pithywine.com
Lodi
bergholdvineyards.com
michaeldavidwinery.com
TASTING ROOMS
themadrones.com
pithywine.com
atasteofmonterey.com
TOURS
jordanwinery.com
sunriderwinetours.com
WINERY ASSOCIATIONS
Coombsville Winery Members
coombsvillenapa.org/Members.html
Temecula Wineries
temeculawines.org/wineries-vineyards
Sierra Foothills
eldoradowines.org/wineries.html
Sonoma Wine Road Association
wineroad.com
2014 T R AV E L G U I D E TO C A L I F O R N I A 37