California - Alicia Tenise

California wine is more than just Napa. Great wines, vineyards, and tasting rooms can be found all over the largest wine producing state in the country.

Where to go in California

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Paso Robles Paso Robles is my favorite place to taste in California. Drive time About three hours north of Los Angeles and three hours south of San Francisco Fees $20–50 Grapes Rhône blends, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel 3 wineries
Santa Ynez Valley One of the most beautiful regions I have tasted in, with the most forgiving calendar on my Ten Best list. Drive time Just outside Santa Barbara Fees $25–55 Grapes Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah, Rhône varieties 2 wineries
Sonoma County Sonoma is Napa's next-door neighbor, and I find it consistently more enjoyable. Fees $30–60 Grapes Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon 1 area · 1 winery
Napa Valley Napa is arguably the most famous wine region in the U.S., and one of the most expensive in the world. Fees $60+ 2 wineries
Temecula Valley An hour and a half from Los Angeles and 45 minutes from San Diego, Temecula is a great SoCal spot to go wine tasting with friends. Drive time 1.5 hours from Los Angeles, 45 minutes from San Diego Grapes Italian, Spanish and Rhône varieties 2 wineries
Lodi Lodi is one of California’s most underrated wine regions: old-vine Zinfandel, Spanish and Rhône varieties, easy walk-in tastings and prices that make Napa look steep. Drive time About 45 minutes from Sacramento, 90 minutes from San Francisco Fees $15–30 Grapes Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Albariño, Tempranillo 4 wineries
Carmel Valley A cluster of tasting rooms and wineries about 20 minutes from Carmel-by-the-Sea, known for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay (some of my favorite Chards in the state). Drive time 20 minutes from Carmel-by-the-Sea Grapes Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
Livermore Valley Livermore Valley is a fun, underrated stop and one of California's oldest wine regions; it won the Grand Prix at the 1889 Paris Exposition.
Other California Wineries I have written about that are not tied to one of the regions above.
Santa Lucia Highlands

Compare regions in California

Region	Best time	Tasting fees	Top grapes	Wineries
Carmel Valley			Pinot Noir, Chardonnay	0
Lodi	Summer is the quietest season; fall is milder and…	$15–30	Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Albariño, Tempranillo	4
Napa Valley		$60+		2
Paso Robles	Spring and fall. Summer regularly clears 100°F, but the…	$20–50	Rhône blends, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel	3
Santa Ynez Valley	February through November. Be cautious in the rainy season,…	$25–55	Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah, Rhône varieties	2
Sonoma County	May through October for weather; the off-season is when…	$30–60	Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon	1
Temecula Valley			Italian, Spanish and Rhône varieties	2

California

14 wineries on the map

Central Coast
Paso Robles
Paso Robles Willow Creek District
Temecula Valley
Santa Ynez Valley
Lodi

Last updated September 30, 2026

Where to go in California

Compare regions in California

Map of wineries in California

From my trips to California