Wine countries in California include the regions of Napa Valley, Sonoma County, Mendocino County, Sierra Foothill Gold Country and Temecula, among others. Wine regions are also present in Oregon, Washington, Texas, Virginia and New York. Climate variations affect the types of grapes grown in each region. The warmer reaches of the valley may produce cabernet sauvignons while pinot noirs and chardonnays tend to flourish in cooler parts of the wine region.
Oregon's Willamette Valley is the largest wine-growing region in the state. The valley offers varieties such as pinot noir, riesling and pinot gris. In Washington, over 15 wine grapes varieties are grown. The region is especially known for its robust red wine like syrah, merlot and cabernet sauvignon.
Napa Valley is the most prestigious wine region in the United States. The valley has almost 300 wineries and is known for its rich cabernet sauvignon. When planning your trip, allocate at least two days to tour the area.
Reserve guided tours if you don't want to drive and to alleviate the stress of traffic, parking and getting lost. Full-day guided tours with lunches are provided. At the time of publication, tours range from $60 to $100 per person and reservations are typically required. Tour guides such as Beau Wine Tours (beauwinetours.com) offer personalized trips of Napa and Sonoma. Gray Line Tours (grayline.com) features tours of both southern Napa and Sonoma valleys with a lunch stop in Yountville. For a more active option, consider renting bikes to experience the natural sights of the valley by riding through designated trails. Wine Country Bikes (winecountrybikes.com) organizes one-day bike tours throughout Sonoma County.
For visits during the peak season, plan your trip months ahead to make necessary reservations and bookings. The best way to avoid the crowds, traffic and to get the best lodging deals is to visit during the off-peak season. The off-peak months in Napa Valley run from November to April. Lodging packages offer more amenities during this time and bookings often cost less. Off-peak season travelers also benefit from less-crowded tasting rooms, which means you can spend less time waiting and more time tasting.
Dress appropriately if visiting during winter months. Pack warm clothing and an umbrella. If visiting during holidays, inquire about any special deals and themed events that may be available.
Designate a driver when tasting wine to ensure your safety. Limit your trips to three to four winery visits a day and use the spittoons or spit buckets located on tasting bars. Drink water in between wine samples and plan a hearty lunch. Ask for the subtle white wines first before the more robust reds and savor the sweeter flavors during the end of your trip.
