Adventures in Wine > California

California

California

California dominates the US wine scene. It has over 1,000 wineries and produces more wine than all other states combined. As such, this vast state includes many disparate grape growing regions which create a vast range of varieties, styles and quality levels. Nevertheless, California has no problems in ripening its grapes and the style tends to be polished, fruity wines which can be quite alcoholic with a touch of residual sweetness.

The best known region is the Napa Valley, to the north of San Francisco, whose finest wines (especially Cabernet Sauvignon) can be world-class. But they often come with an even bigger price tag to match. Better value wines can be found in less famous regions such as Sonoma County and Mendocino.

Further south is the vast Central Coast region which extends from San Francisco to Los Angeles, incorporating some top quality cooler viticultural sub-regions. These include the Edna Valley, Monterey and Santa Barbara all of which are turning out very good Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays. Further inland the hot San Joaquin Valley is churning out much of the US’ bargain basement jug wines.

With regard to grape varieties, California has an eclectic mix of French varieties including the classics – Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. However, in recent years some Rhone varieties especially Syrah, Viognier and Mourvedre have found favor. So too have Italian varieties such as Sangiovese, Barbera and Nebbiolo. However, the other key variety to California is its own native Zinfandel. (Financial Times)

Arista Winery

Winery: Arista
Region: California
Sub-region: Russian River

Please call for current releases.

Arista is dedicated to showcasing the finest expression of Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley. They work closely with their growers who farm small vineyards in the region. They are also developing their own estate vineyard southwest of Healdsburg, California.

The winery was founded in 2002 by John Copeland, and Al & Janis McWilliams. Arista Winery’s wines have the deep rich fruitiness typical of the region. These handcrafted wines – produced in small lots of several barrels each – are well proportioned with fruit, tannins, acidity, and oak flavors in perfect balance. The greatest care is always taken to handle the grapes tenderly at harvest, and gently through vinification. We feel this winery represents excellence in winemaking, and we are pleased to share these exceptional wines with you.

Gamba

Winery: Gamba
Region: California
Sub-region: Sonoma County

Zinfandel Russian River Valley
Zinfandel Old Vine Moratto Vineyard
Zinfandel Old Vine Estate Vineyard

Gamba Vineyards and Winery is a small, family owned vineyard and winery business in Sonoma County, California. The over century old 27.5 acre Gamba Estate Vineyard parcel rests on th Eastern edge of the beautiful Russian River Valley Appellation, on gently rolling benchland above the valley floor. Planted to Zinfandel in 1900, the Gamba Estate Vineyard consists primarily of Old Vine Zinfandel, as well as small separate blocks of Cabernet Sauvignon. On average the yield is small, in part due to nature, but also by design-approximately one half ton, and occasionally up to one ton per acre is harvested, depending on the vigor of vineyard block and severity of pruning.

SOCAL ONLY

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Lagier Meredith

Winery: Lagier Meredith
Region: California
Sub-region: Mt. Veeder/Napa

Syrah Mt. Veeder

Stephen Lagier and Carole Meredith produce spicy and concentrated Syrah from their small vineyard on the slopes of Mount Veeder overlooking the Napa Valley. They grow the grapes and make the wine themselves.

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Pavilion Crossing

Winery: Pavilion
Region: California
Sub-region: Napa

Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot
Chardonnay

The founders of Pavilion bring decades of Napa winemaking experience to each and every bottle, creating some of the best value wines from Napa Valley.




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Peralta Winery

Winery: Peralta
Region: California
Sub-region: Central Coast

Cabernet Sauvignon
Mourvedre

The winery was named after their great grandmother, Rosalie Peralta, a descendant of Luis Maria Peralta who lived in the historical Peralta Adobe in San Jose which has survied 200 years in the center of a rapidly changing city.

Peralta produces wines of quality and balance at prices that are affordable for everyday consumption.

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Pezzi King

Winery: Pezzi King
Region: California
Sub-region: Dry Creek Valley

Sauvignon Blanc Dry Creek
Zinfandel
Zinfandel Old Vines

Pezzi King has built its reputation on creating exceptional Zinfandel from their Dry Creek vineyards. They also make outstanding wines from other areas throught the Sonoma Coast.





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Relativity Vineyards

Winery: Relativity Vineyards
Region: California
Sub-region: Negociant

Merlot
Quantum Reserve

You don’t have to be a genius to drink good wine.













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Wine Guerrilla

Winery: Wine Guerrilla
Region: California
Sub-region: Sonoma

Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley
Zinfandel Goat Trek Vineyard
Zinfandel Two Vineyards
Zinfandel Sonoma County
Zinfandel Forchini Vineyards OV
Zinfandel Forchini Vineyards OV
Zinfandel Forchini Vineyards OV
Love and Meritage

Wine Guerrilla seeks to provide wines of exceptional uniqueness and character. According to the website: “Wherever proud zinfandel grapes are oppressed and the taste buds of consumers are in peril, Wine Guerrilla is there.” The name “Wine Guerrilla” reflects a unique approach to winemaking and marketing. Having begun as a broker of small-production artisinal wines, Wine Guerrilla brings together a vision of a reasonably priced premium wine with a passion for California’s native grape, zinfandel, knowledge of the Sonoma region and existing relationships with many of the county’s best-known growers. The result is something special. Wine Guerrilla operates on a singular mission: Finding the very best zinfandel grapes, crafting wines worthy of the grape’s unique characteristics, and introducing those wines to the public.

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Yorkville Cellars

Winery: Yorkville Cellars
Region: California
Sub-region: Mendocino

CERTIFIED ORGANICALLY GROWN WINES

Richard the Lion-Heart
Hi-Rollr Red
Petit Verdot
Merlot
Malbec
Cabernet Sauvignon
Sauvignon Blanc
Eleanor of Aquitaine
Sémillon
Rosé de Franc

Yorkville Cellars is located in Mendocino County, just 100 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge. The vineyards are on average 1000 feet above sea level, surrounded by other vineyards, sheep ranches and apple and peach orchards. At the bottom of the vineyard is a redwood forest which yields to the spectacular Mendocino coastline. The winery is quite small and produces fewer than 1000 cases of each varietal. No pesticides, herbicides or chemical fertilizers are used in the production of Yorkville Cellars wines; the winery has been certified organic since 1986.

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