California Wine Regions

240,000 hectares (590,000 acres) / 4500 wineries

Variety	Acres
Cabernet Sauvignon	95,000
Chardonnay	90,000
Pinot Noir	46,000
Zinfandel	38,000
Merlot	34,000
French Colombard	16,500
Pinot Gris	16,500
Sauvignon Blanc	15,500
Syrah	14,500

Source: www.nass.usda.gov April 2022.

Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet blends from California rank among the most exclusive and expensive wines in USA. The largest acreage is in Napa, San Luis Obispo, Sonoma and San Joaquin.

Chardonnay is California’s most-planted white winegrape, and the most popular wine in USA for the last decade. The largest acreage is in Monterey, Sonoma and San Joaquin.

Pinot Noir has been steadily growing in popularity after the movie "Sideways" helped propel the sales. The largest acreage is in Sonoma, Monterey and Santa Barbara.

Zinfandel arrived in the United States around 1830, and to California during the gold rush in 1850. It is one of the most important varieties in the USA, and nearly all Zinfandel wines come from California, including the very special white Zinfandel.The largest acreage is in San Joaquin and Sonoma.

Merlot from California is one of the most popular table wines sold in US food stores. The largest acreage is in San Joaquin, Napa and Sonoma.

California AVAs

Napa Valley (CA)

45,000 Acres / 700 Wineries

Napa Valley is one of the most renowned wine regions, not just in the USA, but also world wide. Located in Northern California, it is known for its world-class Cabernet Sauvignon wines.

The region benefits from a Mediterranean climate, with warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. Napa Valley is characterized by its picturesque vineyards, rolling hills, and diverse wineries offering tastings and tours.

Napa Valley is best known for producing exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon wines. The region's warm climate, coupled with well-drained volcanic and alluvial soils, provides ideal conditions for this grape.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon wines are characterized by a rich, full-bodied nature, intense fruit flavors, firm tannins, and age-worthy potential.

While Cabernet Sauvignon is the star of Napa Valley, the region also produces a diverse range of other varietals. Each variety shows unique characteristics influenced by Napa Valley's microclimates and terroir.

Wines	Acres
Cabernet Sauvignon	24,000
Chardonnay	5,900
Pinot Noir	2,800
Merlot	4,000
Sauvignon Blanc	2,700
Zinfandel	1,300
Cabernet Franc	1,200
Source: Napa County Crop-Reports 2022

Sonoma County, California (425 Wineries)

Sonoma is a renowned wine region in California known for its diverse and high-quality wines. The region produces a wide range of varietals, including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Sonoma's unique terroir, diverse microclimates, and passionate winemakers contribute to the production of exceptional wines. Visitors to Sonoma can enjoy scenic vineyards, boutique wineries, and a warm and welcoming wine country experience.

Sonoma County has many distinctions, but here’s one to note: it grows more Pinot Noir than any other county in California