Picture this – balmy Californian sunsets, an endless lush Napa Valley vineyard, and you enjoying this breathtaking landscape with a glass of wine. Can life get any better? Yes, when you can go on a wine lover’s road trip that takes to you California’s best wineries through its most scenic routes. Here are five classic Californian wine routes that never fail to impress. Don’t forget, no drinking and driving, folks!
Silverado Trail – Napa Valley California
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A couple of hours drive away from San Francisco, American Wine has been synonymous with the iconic Napa Valley since the mid-1970s. Naturally, the Silverado Trail always makes its way into every wine lover’s itinerary. This romantic route ribbons through miles of vineyards, boutique art galleries, mighty old oak trees, and occasionally even a Michelin starred restaurant. This region has so many wineries that you could explore it for a week and still not visit them all. The wine to be savored here is Napa Valley’s legendary Cabernet Sauvignon and other full-bodied reds. If the robust red is not your taste, try the superb bubbly at Mumm Napa. For a full-blown Napa experience drive to the stunning Meadowood Napa Valley where you can enjoy the best of the regions wine, landscape and dine at a Michelin-starred restaurant.
Ventura Country Wine Trail
Ventura Country Wine Trail is great for someone who wants a little bit of everything, from tastings in an urbane setting to those inside cellar doors in rusty countryside vineyards. Get a taste of luscious reds in a 1902 Victorian building at Rancho Ventavo Cellars or enjoy a locally sourced New American fare at Herzog Wine Cellars, famous for their award-winning kosher wines. Cigar lovers should make sure to stop at the Old Oaks Cigar Company that offers a line of 300 handpicked cigars! Here’s a tip for those short on time – head to the California Welcome Center Oxnard’s tasting room that serves the best of Ventura County wines.
The Wine Road – Mendocino and Sonoma
This wonderfully picturesque route through Sonoma’s wine country is popularly hailed as ‘The Wine Road’. Meandering through the Dry Creek Valley, Russian River Valley, and Alexander Valley, this wine trip makes for a perfect getaway from San Francisco which is just 65km away. Along the way, the road pass through Redwood forest and hills that are home to more than 150 vineyards. Feel free to stop for a tasting wherever you want! Here’s the sweet deal though – you can save a ton of money with the ‘Ticket to the Wine Road‘ pass for that gives massive discounts on wines, tastings, and even accommodation!
Placer Country Wine Trail
At this stunning wine trail tucked between Sacremento and Lake Tahoe ski fields, you can relish the best of Spainish, Italian, and Rhone varietals but with a Californian twist, of course. In fact, Placer Country Wine Trail is for the adventurous lot. The 20 wineries in this booming wine region are known for their unusual, bold vintages and blends. The regions pleasantly warm and dry summers also make it perfect place to kick back, relax with a glass of wine under a shady tree. Back in the day, Placer Country was home to the famous Californian Gold Rush. Incidentally, both the discovery of gold and planting of the grapes happened in 1848!
Temecula Valley
Temecula Valley was known to grow wine grapes since as early as the late 1700s. But it gained its reputation as a wine country as late as 1984! For many, Temecula Valley still comes as a surprise thanks to proximity to the California desert. Today, there are over 40 wineries here producing bolder varietals like cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandels. The region’s arid climate has made it a popular hot air ballooning spot. To make the most of wine and hot air balloons visit during the first week of June when the Temecula Valley Balloon and Wine festival is held.
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Tags: California Culture Food Travel Winery
