Page 56 - 2017 Travel Guide to California

WINE COUNTRY
WINE TASTING in Saint Helena, top; grape
cluster, Solvang, above.
54 2017 T R AV E L G U I D E TO C A L I F O R N I A
hip 7% Solution Fest dedicated to rare,
lesser grown grape varieties with extremely
limited production.
Visiting Northern Sonoma in January?
Winter WINEland, a self-paced winery tour,
is the toasty event of the season.
One of the oldest regions, Livermore, is
just 30 miles east of San Francisco and best
known for its Chardonnay production and
the well-established winery estates of
Wente and Concannon.
SIERRA FOOTHILLS
El Dorado, Amador, Calaveras
The mining towns of the Sierra foothills—
Placerville, Amador City and Sutter
Creek—used to draw prospectors in search
of gold. Now wine lovers come in search of
riches in liquid form, such as Grenache, San-
giovese and particularly Old-vine Zinfandel.
The main street of Murphys is lined
with Gold Rush-era buildings and more
than 20 tasting rooms equal parts rustic
and sophisticated.
CENTRAL COAST
Monterey, Santa Lucia Highlands,
Chalone, Carmel Valley, Paso Robles,
Edna Valley, Arroyo Grande, Santa
Clara Valley
The Central Coast is one of the largest and
most diverse wine growing regions, and
Monterey is home to the granddaddy of
all wine festivals, the Pebble Beach Food
and Wine Classic in April, where you can
sip fine wines and enjoy small plates by
star chefs.
If you are a Pinot or Syrah fan, head for
the highlands, the Santa Lucia Highlands, an
appellation with many noteworthy wineries
such as Morgan, Mer Soleil, and Hahn.
Santa Clara Valley is one of the oldest wine
regions in California. Founded by Italian
immigrants in the early 1800s, this region
has now grown to approximately 23 wineries.
Looking to meet the next great wine-
maker? The Garagiste Fest in Paso Robles
will introduce you to the small guys with
bright futures. And if bubbles make you
BOB MCCLENAHAN; SOLVANG CVB