California Grapes
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 |
| Total | 590,000 |
Source: www.nass.usda.gov April 2022.
Cabernet Sauvignon
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
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
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
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
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 Wine Regions
NORTH COAST AVA
The North Coast is California’s most prestigious wine region.
It comprises the vineyards north of San Francisco.
The AVAs here are known for premium Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay.
The most famous are:
| AVA | Main Grapes |
|---|---|
| Napa Valley | Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Sonoma Country | Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Zinfandel |
| Mendocino County | Cool-climate whites, Pinot Noir |
| Lake County | Affordable, high-altitude wines |
Mendocino County AVA
Medocino County is the northernmost AVA on the Nort Coast.
It is most famous for its cool-climate whites and Pinot Noir.
Notable Sub AVAs
- Anderson Valley (Excellent sparkling wine, Riesling, Pinot Noir)
- Redwood Valley (Old-vine Zinfandel & Petite Sirah)
Lake County AVA
Lake Country is located east of Medocino Country.
It is most famous for affordable, high-altitude wines. and enjoys a reputation for bright, red wines made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Zinfandel, and fresh, aromatic whites made from Sauvignon blanc.
Notable Sub AVAs
- Red Hills Lake County (bold Cabernet Sauvignon)
- High Valley (Rhone varietals: Syrah, Grenache)
Napa Valley
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 |
| Total | 45,000 |
| Source: Napa County Crop-Reports 2022 |
Sub-AVAs
- Howell Mountain (High-elevation bold reds)
- Calistoga (Full-bodied warm-climate Cabernets)
- St. Helena (Full-bodied warm-climate Cabernets)
- Rutherford (famous for "Rutherford Dust" Cabernet)
- Oakville (Exceptional Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon)
- Stags Leap District (Elegant Cabernets)
- Coombsville (Cool-climate Bordeaux blends)
- Los Carneos (Cool-climate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sparkling)
Sonoma County
425 Wineries
There are 19 distinct Sonoma County AVAs (American Viticultural Areas. Each AVA has a unique climate and geography. From warm, sunny days to cooler, fog covered valley floors, the variations in the geography and climate influence each individual region in many ways.
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.
Notable Sub AVAs
- Russian River Valley (Cool-climate Pinot Noir & Chardonnay)
- Alexander Valley (Lush Cabernet Sauvignon)
- Dry Creek Valley (High-quality Zinfandel)
- Sonoma Valley (Elegant, fog-influenced Pinot Noir)
- Sonoma Mountain (Powerful, yet elegant Cabernet Sauvignon)
- Sonoma Coast ()
Russian River Valley (AVA 1983)
The Russian River Valley climate is dominated by regular intrusion of cooling fog from the Pacific Ocean few miles away. The fog arrives in the evening, often dropping as much as 35 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit (about 20 °C) its daytime high, and retreats to the ocean in the morning.
This natural air-conditioning allows the grapes to develop full flavor maturity over an extended growing season.Alexander Valley (AVA 1984)
The dominant soil of the region is alluvial. During the day, the Alexander Valley is one of the warmest areas in Northern California but experiences a wide diurnal temperature variation at night that offers cool climate conditions.
The region's proximity to the Russian River serves a source for early morning fog that covers the lower vineyard areas until it is burned off by the morning sun.
Dry Creek (AVA 1983)
More tha 100 years ago, Dry Creek Valley was on of California's most prominent producers of Zinfandel. During Prohibition, much of the valley was converted to fruit trees.
Since 1970, Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel have become the most planted varieties, and Dry Creek Valley AVA has become one of the state's top Zinfandel producers. Sauvignon blanc is most important white grape in the valley.
Sonoma Valley (AVA 1981)
Sonoma Valley is bordered by two mountain ranges: the Mayacamas Mountains to the east and the Sonoma Mountains to the west. Along with being the center of Sonoma County’s winemaking history, the area is also known for its unique terroir, protected from the wet and cool influence of the nearby Pacific Ocean by Sonoma Mountain.
Sonoma Mountain (AVA 1985)
The 2,400-foot Sonoma Mountain range rises above the town of Glen Ellen at the western edge of the Valley of the Moon. These vineyards fall within the larger Sonoma Valley AVA. However, due to the unique hillside terroir, they are entitled to use the more specific designation of the Sonoma Mountain AVA. Powerful, yet elegant Cabernet Sauvignons – the appellation’s specialty – grow here on well-drained soils.
Sonoma Coast (AVA 1987)
The Sonoma Coast AVA extends from San Pablo Bay to the border with Mendocino County. The AVA is best known for its cool climate and high rainfall relative to other parts of Sonoma County.
Close to the Pacific, with more than twice the annual rainfall of its inland neighbors, it’s warm enough to ripen wine grapes because most vineyards are above the fog line.
Central Coast AVAs
Stretching from San Francisco Bay to Santa Barbara, this area benefits from Pacific Ocean cooling, ideal for Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Rhône varietals.
Monterey County AVAs
- Santa Lucia Highlands (Top-tier Pinot Noir & Chardonnay)
- Arroyo Seco (High-acid whites like Riesling)
San Luis Obispo County AVAs
- Paso Robles (Cabernet Sauvignon, Rhône blends like Syrah, Grenache)
- Edna Valley (Chardonnay, cool-climate Pinot Noir)
Santa Barbara County AVAs
- Sta. Rita Hills (Elegant, Burgundian-style Pinot Noir)
- Santa Maria Valley (Classic cool-climate Pinot & Chardonnay)
- Ballard Canyon (Highly regarded Syrah)
South Coast AVAs
Warmer climate, but some coastal influence allows for Viognier, Tempranillo, and Syrah.
Notable AVAs
- Temecula Valley (Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Italian varietals)
- San Pasqual Valley (Mediterranean varietals like Sangiovese)
- Ramona Valley (Petite Sirah, Zinfandel)
Sierra Foothills AVAs
Known for bold, old-vine Zinfandel, these AVAs have a rich history dating back to the Gold Rush.Notable AVAs
- El Dorado (Zinfandel, Barbera, Syrah)
- Amador County (Old-vine Zinfandel)
- Fiddletown (robust Rhône-style wines)
Central Valley AVAs
A powerhouse for affordable wines, best known for Zinfandel and Chardonnay.Notable AVAs
- Lodi (top-tier Old Vine Zinfandel)
- Clarksburg (aromatic whites: Chenin Blanc, Albariño)
California AVA Wine Recommendations
Top quality Californian wines by AVA:
- Cabernet Sauvignon → Napa Valley (Oakville, Stags Leap, Rutherford)
- Pinot Noir → Sonoma (Russian River, Sonoma Coast), Santa Barbara (Sta. Rita Hills)
- Chardonnay → Sonoma (Russian River), Monterey (Santa Lucia Highlands)
- Zinfandel → Lodi, Dry Creek Valley, Amador County
- Syrah & Rhône Blends → Paso Robles, Ballard Canyon, El Dorado