Page 54 - 2017 Travel Guide to California

WINE COUNTRY
BY MARCY GORDON
In Praise of the Grape
No matter the season, wine tasting is always festive
CALIFORNIA
VINEYARDS
Sampling local wines is a popular
activity in the many wine growing
regions up and down the state.
California wines became famous
when a Chardonnay from Chateau
Montelena in Napa Valley won the
Judgment of Paris in 1976. It was an
event that rocked the wine world,
and the quality of California wines
has only grown since then.
There are so many wines, varieties and
regions in California that figuring out
where to go and what to taste can be
daunting. Aside from taking a tour, one of
the best ways to get acquainted with an area
is by attending a local wine festival. Think
of it as Wine-Recon, a most delightful way
to gather insight and information on local
wineries in a short span of time. From
large-scale food and wine fests to small,
quirky events, wine festivals can cater to
both the casual wine fan and the experi-
enced wine enthusiast determined to
discover the next great producer.
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA COAST
Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino, Livermore,
Santa Cruz Mountains
The most famous California wine region by
far 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.
While the majority of visitors go to the big-
name wineries such as Robert Mondavi,
Beringer and Sterling, those in the know are
heading for Coombsville.
52 2017 T R AV E L G U I D E TO C A L I F O R N I A
SANTA BARBARA CVB. OPPOSITE: LAMBERT BRIDGE; LAUREN SALAUN; NAPA VALLEY CVB; KERRICK JAMES