You’ve decided to visit wine country and there is no better place to begin than sunny California. Touring wine country is fascinating and fun, especially in California, where there are over 2,000 wineries to choose from. With its’ rich, fertile soils and micro climates, California is among the world leaders in producing fine wines. And, they are the number one state for wine consumption here in the US, followed by Florida, and New York. Creating fine wines is an art and has grown in popularity. Presently, there are over 60,000 registered California wine labels. Now, that’s a lot of great wine! These five top wineries are definitely worth the trip and you will see why.
Ventana Vineyards – Monterey County
Ventana Vineyards has a 30 year history of making award-winning wines. For Reggie Hammond, the award-wining winemaker who has been creating fine wines here since 2005, the art of wine is all in the details. On this 400 acre Estate, you can find some of the best Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling, and Gewurztraminer. In fact, Ventana has earned more medals and awards than any other single vineyard in America. Located on the west side of the Salinas Valley in Monterey County, you can sample their wines in the Old Stonehouse Historic Building from 11:00am-5:00pm daily, summer hours, (June-September), 11:00am-6:00pm.
Only five minutes from Monterey Airport, and minutes from Downtown Monterey and Carmel, there are numerous activities you can enjoy while visiting wine country. Play a round of golf down the road at Laguna Seca Golf Course. Spend the day at the Laguna Seca Race track, or purchase a bottle of Ventana’s fine wines and take it next door to drink with a meal at Tarpy’s Roadhouse, a five star American Country Cuisine restaurant.
Go whale watching (yes!), kayaking, biking, roller blading, sailing, fishing, or take a walking tour. Stay at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Resort & Spa, with rates starting at $190 nightly. To book your winery tour, call 831-372-7415. Monterey Bay Whale Watch, 831-375-4658, A B Seas Kayaking, 888-371-6035, Bay Biking, 831-646-9090, Carrera Sailing, 831-375-0648, Fishing Trips, 831-375-5951, and Cannery Row Walking Tours, 831-373-5727. Contact the Hyatt Regency at 831-372-1234, or monterey.hyatt.com. Watch out Napa and Sonoma- Monterey is making it’s mark!
South Coast Winery, Resort & Spa – Temecula Valley
Guests can come and taste the finest wines paired with excellent cuisine and stay in private villas surrounded by 38 acres of vineyards. This is Temecula Valley’s only winery-resort. Founded by James Cater, Sr., it consists of 400 acres. You can choose from several packages: Wine Country, Picnic Tour, Spa Escape, Horseback Ride and Stay; Up, Up & Away on a Hot Air Balloon Ride, Stay and Play Golf, or Temecula Wine Country Tour on an air conditioned shuttle bus. They provide tours, educational courses, like Wine 101, and wine tasting in their spacious Tuscan-style tasting room. Sample Sauvignon Blancs, Merlots, Syrahs, Cabs, 10am-6pm, any day of the week. To make reservations for the spa and villas, call 866-9-WINERY. Reservations for tours, and tasting room: 866-994-6379, or go to www.southcoastwinery.com.
Spanish for “limestone,” Caliza Wineries is dedicated to the pursuit of excellence. Their respect for the earth and tradition of winemaking reflects in their award-wining wines. This 20 acre vineyard produces some of the best Syrah, Grenache, Mouvedre, Tempranillo, Viognier, and Rhone-styled wines that are bold, yet elegant. While there, stop next door and visit Stephan Vineyards and L’Adventure Winery. Tasting room hours are Friday-Sunday, 11am-4:30pm, (by appointment all other times). You have to sample and purchase their 2006 Azimuth, with flavors of graphite, melted licorice, blueberries, blackberries, that scored 92 Robert Parker points.
Don’t miss the Hearst Castle, one of the largest historic house museums in the US, equipped with a theatre. Lodging can be found at Belvino Viaggio Tuscan Retreat Bed & Breakfast. Check out the awesome 360 degree view of the vineyards and luxury accommodations, such as private baths, fireplaces, and balconies. Culinary delights are created by their Le Cardon Bleu trained chef. Rates start at $225 a night. For reservations call 805-237-8895. Information and reservations for the Hearst Castle: 800-444-4445, or 805-927-2020. Winery tours and information can be made at www.calizawinery.com, or call 805-237-1480.
Right in the heart of Alexander Valley, it is one of the oldest and most award-winning wineries. Founded in 1880, it has won Winery of the Year and Winemaker of the Year. Mick Schroeter and Ondine Chattan are the resident winemakers who create Sauvignon Blancs, Merlots, Chardonnays, Cabernet Sauvignons, and Viogniers. The Wall Street Journal reported their tasting room was named one of the 10 best tasting rooms in Napa and Sonoma Counties. Geyser pours 12-15 wines everyday and tasting rooms are open daily, 10am- 5pm, and closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, and Easter. Download and print the Two-for-One Tasting Card to receive 2 Geyser Peak wine tastings for the price of one. Plus, a 15 percent discount on all tasting room purchases. Balloon rides, (Above The Wine Country, 800-759-5638), biking and kayaking, (877-875-BIKE), and hiking, (Wine Country Trekking, 888-287-TREK), are a few fun things to do when you are not at the vineyards.
Fountaingrove Inn’s Equus Restaurant is a popular eatery for locals and tourists, serving Contemporary California Cuisine, (800-222-6101). Zip around to Geyser Peak and other wineries in a limo, (Pure Luxury Transportation, 800-626-5466). To tour Geyser Peak, call 800-255-WINE, or email for info on tasting rooms: tastingroom@geyserpeakwinery.com. Enjoy your time in renowned Sonoma Valley!
Kendall-Jackson Winery – Sonoma Valley
Practically every wine this vineyard produces is an award winner! Three decades of a family-owned, family run business, San Francisco native Jess Jackson and his wife, Barbara Banke create some of America’s bestselling wines. This is my personal favorite, and this winery produces one of my absolute favorite wines–Kendall Jackson Chardonnay, (Vintner’s Reserve)–my signature drink! Jackson and family make wine with time-honored principals: hard work, integrity, and a desire for quality without the compromise. Lately, Jackson has been in the news with his prize philly Rachel Alexandra, who beat the boys at the Preakness and is an exceptionally beautiful and talented race horse.
Choose from two tasting rooms, surrounded by gorgeous panoramic scenery, where you will experience exquisite food and sample some exceptional wines! Enjoy Sauvignon Blancs, Riesling, Muscat Canelli, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, and Meritage Red. Cost: $5 per person. Besides food and wine, browse for gifts, visit the tasting bar, tour the vineyards, check out the herb, flower, and veggie gardens that surround the tasting room chateau. Open daily, 10am-5pm. Garden tours daily, 11am, 1pm, 3pm, weather permitting. Book your tour at 866-287-9818 or 707-571-8100 for your unforgettable vineyard vacation!
California is a plethora of vineyards, valleys, and vistas. Magnificent, and diverse, it offers us and the world some of the best nectar that vines can produce. Yes, the finest award winning wines are waiting, so prepare your palate and your picnic basket for your incredible trip to the wineries. Salud!
