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Wine Travel in California's North Coast
In California today, wine tourism has become almost an art form: most wineries have visitor centers and shops selling a wide range of wine-related (and sometimes non-wine related goods); they run tours around the winery and sometimes the vineyards, a rotating selection of the range is usually offer for tasting and sometimes there is an on-site restaurant, café or occasionally accommodation. If you are used to visiting only European wineries, the sheer size of the facilities and numbers of visitors may be a shock, as will the number of limousines bringing visitors to the wineries. Be warned also that many wineries charge a fee for tour and a fee for tasting flights of wines (fees varying from $5 upwards depending on numbers of wines tasted, reputation and wine quality). In most wineries you will receive a sincere welcome and your visit should be both entertaining and educational. California has elevated wine education and the concept of food and wine matching to a high art. For the ultimate in wine travel, head north across the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. The counties of Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino and Lake are a delight to visit especially in spring or autumn when the crowds are not so great and the weather is clement. What makes it possible to produce great wines in these regions are the cooling fogs and winds coming in from the Pacific, so you might need to be prepared for cool weather conditions. The Napa Valley has so many wineries, all crammed into a small area, that in order to control traffic density, for many years the county has refused to issue new wineries with a licence to accept visitors; those without a license may only accept visitors by appointment. Tasting prices can be high here. The Napa Valley Vintners Association website has a great 'winery finder' search option that allows you to select wineries by the facilities they offer such as 'sustainably farmed', 'family friendly or 'tours given regularly. Sonoma County is not far behind Napa these days in the number of wineries and the prices for tasting, but being a much bigger county the wineries are much more spread out, so there is more driving to do. Pretty Sonoma Valley is one of the closest winery areas to visit from San Francisco and do make time to explore the town of Sonoma. The Russian River Wine Road group includes over 140 wineries and 50 lodgings in Northern Sonoma encompassing the appellations of Dry Creek, Alexander and Russian River Valleys - their website gives all the details. The town of Healdsburg is particularly well placed as a base for exploring the Russian River area and is becoming a vibrant restaurant center. Distances between wineries are even further in Mendocino and Lake counties, but the further away from San Francisco you go the less likely that you will meet 'the limo crowds' over the weekend and there is a more remote feeling here. A visit to the large Fetzer winery in Hopland is always a great experience - their organic garden is an education in itself. Accommodation is plentiful in the North Coast regions especially in Napa and Sonoma, though often at a high price. Food quality is high with plenty of Mediterranean influences and access to excellent fresh produce – there has been a burgeoning of restaurants in the smaller towns in all the wine regions and most offer 'flights' of wines to accompany your food to enhance your tasting experience in the regions further. Remember to elect a designated driver if you are taking your own car. |
Napa Valley Vintners Association
| Russian River Wine Road
| Sonoma Valley
Head across the Golden Gate bridge. © Wink Lorch
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