With 6 different unique wine regions, California is world-renowned for its wine. And these 15 are some of the best!
California is home to some of the world’s most renowned wine regions, known for their diverse climates and terroirs. The state boasts major wine-growing areas like the Napa Valley, famous for its Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, and the Sonoma County, known for its Pinot Noir and Zinfandel. The Paso Robles region, with its mix of Mediterranean and inland climates, excels in bold reds like Syrah and Cabernet. Other notable areas include Santa Barbara, Mendocino, and Lake County, each offering unique varietals shaped by their distinct landscapes. Together, California’s wine regions produce a wide range of high-quality wines, attracting connoisseurs and visitors from around the globe. And the 15 we selected, span across each of these regions.
(Click on each one to see additional details and information)
While the main star of the show here should be the wine itself, many of the wineries in this list, made the list because of the location, ambiance, food options and dog-friendliness. Places that check ALL the boxes.
We also made sure to include wineries of all price ranges. There are a couple of wineries that actually have FREE tastings... Can you believe that?! Take a look at Navarro and Eberle. But this list includes wineries that have tastings that on the budget-friendly side, and range from $10-$30 per tasting, as well as a few that are much more on the pricier side. And unlike our beer preferences, we are fans of just about all varieties of wine. So you'll find a little of something in all of these selections!
Want to visit as many wineries as you can? Or maybe just want to have more options? No worries! We've got over 60 wineries in our guide that are scattered all over the state. So make sure to take a look!
Have questions about any of these? Let us know!
Go check out my guide for the best free things to do as well as itineraries and travel tips to make your trip unforgettable.