A Brief History of California Wine

California wines are a reflection of the land where they are produced and of the people who craft them~The families who grow superior California wine are pioneers and visionaries~Superior California wine is an example of the farmers and artisans who craft their wine}.  The soils, the climate, valleys and coastal influences help to develop grapes with exquisite flavors. California wine growers produce some of the finest wines in the world due to the attention winegrape growers give to matching grape varieties to climate and location.

The Spanish influence on most California wine is quite obvious. As the California missions were being setup in the 18th century, the Spaniards would create a vineyard. Grapes were needed by the Catholic monks for reigious ceremony as well as basic provision. Early vine cuttings came from Mexico from the common black grape. The original mission grape plantations would primarily use the common black grape or “Mission Grape” as it was often called.

The gold rush period in California saw the biggest growth in residents as well as wineries in the Sonoma and Napa Valleys. During this time well known wine companies such as Buena Vista Winery, Charles Krug Winery, Inglenook Winery and Schramsberg Vineyard were founded.

California Wine Zones

There are distinct California wine zones. They are separated in to 4 separate locations.  The first locale is the North Coast area which takes in counties of Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino and Lake. Second is the Central Coast of California that are areas west of San Francisco all the way to Santa Barbara County that includes well known places such as the Paso Robles, Santa Maria Valley, Santa Ynez Valley and more. Third on the list is the South Coast region which denotes the area south of Los Angeles all the way to Mexico which includes the Temecula Valley, Antelope Valley, San Pasqual, Ramona Valley, etc. The fourth region is the Central Valley which includes, of course, the central valley and the Sierra foothills and Lodi.

Varieties of Grapes and Wines

The California Wine country grows hundreds of variety of grapes. There are French, Italian and Spanish grapes as well as hybrid grapes and new varieties being developed all the time.

You will recognize such names as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot noir and more. They also grow red wine grapes that you may be familiar with such as the Barbera, Grenache, Malbec, Petite Sirah and Sangiovese. They are also known for the white wine grapes of Chenin blanc, Gewurztraminer, Pinot gris,etc.

The New World Style California Wine

California winemakers produce “Old World” wines as well as their trademark “New World” wines.  California wine is produced with a riper grape which gives it a rich, fruity flavor and higher alcohol content. The oak aged California wine making process produces a wonderful full body taste.

Winning California Wines

The locally treasured California wine has emerged as an international treasure as well. international wine of the month organization~California is one of the most diverse winegrowing regions in the world and also one of the best sources for the premier wine club~The rest of the world is quickly discovering the treasures of the California wine industry through the worldwide wine of the month club}.  Another wine club worth mentioning is the distinguished California wine club which offers offers premium California wines at great pricing.

Frommer’s Napa and Sonoma Day by Day (Frommer’s Day by Day – Pocket) $7.49 Sonoma Day by Day features 30 smart itinerary ideas for your trip, all with gorgeous color photos and maps.We’ve included an itinerary to meet almost every need, from “Wine Country for Romance” to “Wine Country on a Budget” to even “Wine Country for Nondrinkers,” plus Napa & Sonoma itineraries in 1, 2, or 3 days. You’ll find lists of the best dining, accommodations, and wineries, details on the …

Napa and Sonoma Wine Country Map and Guide (California Wine Region Maps) $3.20 On the heels of the hugely successful “California Wine Map”, The Wine Appreciation Guild has just released the “Quick Access Napa-Sonoma Wine Country Map and Guide” spotlighting the wineries and vineyards of the country’s wine capital. This full color, topographically precise map is the most comprehensive Napa-Sonoma wine map on the market with over 400 wineries and vineyards. “Quic…

Back Lane Wineries of Napa $10.60 Back Lane Wineries of Napa is a guide to wineries where you can find excellent handcrafted wines made by on-site proprietors, often with only local distribution and limited production, places where wine tasting gets down-to-earth—no one needs to show off how developed his or her palate is. These are often also where sustainable and organic viticulture is being pioneered. Above all, these are …