California

California

California is a robust wine region, producing over 85% of wines in the United States. Its vineyards are filled with a variety of grapes such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and the esteemed Sauvignon Blanc. These vineyards are strategically located in areas like Mendocino, Paso Robles, Monteroy, and Santa Barbara. The globally recognized Napa Valley located north of San Francisco, rivals renowned wine regions like Langhe and Montalcino as well as Bordeaux in France. South of Carneros, a region known for its sparkling wines, you find a hot climate that births 90% of the region's wine production. Grapes such as Carignane, Grenache, and Barbera thrive here. Santa Clara and San Luis Obispo, located south of San Francisco and about 70-100 km from Monterey Bay, are rapidly growing regions. The favorable climate and geographical location of California make it a hub for delectable wines such as Pinot noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. Its red wines are full-bodied, aromatic, and the white Chardonnay, with hints of peanut butter and vanilla, is sure to delight connoisseurs. The Zinfandel wine bears a striking resemblance to the Italian Primitivo.

Region California
Country United States of America
Climate and soil California's unique climate is greatly influenced by its geographical layout. Mountain ranges running in a north-south direction have created long, narrow valleys parallel to the coast. This results in cool mists rising up from the Pacific in the evening, giving regions like Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino, and Santa Barbara a cooler climate. The soil varies greatly within these valleys, from fertile to heavy and clayey in the lower valleys, changing to more calcareous and mixed with breach as it gets higher and more draining. Despite the widely held belief among French winemakers that vines should fight in harsh environments like poor soils and without irrigation for high quality, California winemakers have successfully proven that it can be done with the help of fertigation on rich soils.

California Wines