Winery Articles

Nice article about the wineries in the Paso Robles wine country area of california. These wineries give the wine visitor the feeling they are in tuscany. The world class hotel in the area makes for a nice stay for a tour of the region. The 80 some wineries in the area will certainly give the most adventurous of winery explorers a variety to experience.

If you're a wine lover, you no doubt have imagined visiting Tuscany where you'll spend days soaking up sun-drenched scenery and nights enjoying your charming villa.

Now imagine driving just a few hours from Los Angeles or San Francisco and finding much of the same experience. The Paso Robles Wine Country is fast becoming just such an alternative for sophisticated travelers who are often surprised to find such an exquisite getaway so close to home.

To be sure, Paso Robles is not going to become a world-class destination like Tuscany anytime soon – instead of well over a thousand wineries in Tuscany, you'll find just about 80 in the Paso Robles area. And the overnight accommodations in the immediate area are limited compared with, say, the Napa Valley. Still, there are many inns and lodges within an hour's drive in places like Cambria, Pismo Beach and San Luis Obispo and, of course, the nearby Pacific coastline is an attraction all of its own.

Happily we discovered the perfect complement to touring the local wineries – an extraordinary hotel called the Carlton that has just been completely refurbished and re-opened for business in March 2005. This hotel is located in the heart of the wine country, taking up the better part of a city block in quaint downtown Atascadero. The town of Atascadero is simple and laid back, so the upscale hotel almost seems out of place.

The Carlton Hotel is a "boutique" hotel, capitalizing on the growing popularity of boutique lodgings both in major cities and – with the Carlton as a case in point – sometimes out in the hinterlands. The term has come to symbolize luxury and a higher level of personalized service than many larger hotels. Like the Carlton, most boutique hotels pay a lot of attention to detail and target business travelers as well as affluent leisure travelers.

The Carlton originally opened in 1929 and was a magnet for celebrities such as Jack Benny, Bette Davis, Fred McMurray and Dick Powell. The aging hotel was recently renovated by local entrepreneur David Weyrich with the idea that it would reclaim its past glory by creating 52 individually designed guestrooms with such features as marble bathrooms, deep whirlpool baths, oversized bath towels, high thread-count cotton sheets – well you get the picture.

From the moment we walked into the hotel, the feeling was more like a swank downtown San Francisco hotel than a country inn. Our guestroom seemed regal – period furnishings decorated the spacious interior while the luxurious draperies and bedding added to the upscale feeling. An oversized bath area offered both the whirlpool bath and shower and a dressing area larger than most. In summary, the Carlton has added the special touches that separate the "nice" hotels from the truly "luxurious" lodgings.

But we digress. The hotel was a pleasant surprise for us, but visitors come to Atascadero and nearby Paso Robles mainly for the stunning combination of wineries and picturesque scenery. We explored the rolling hills of both aras, finding wineries of all sizes. We probably are a bit unusual – we enjoy just visiting the wineries and chatting with the winery employees and do not make a point to taste in every winery we visit. But we did taste a few and found that the wine tastings were often free compared with other regions we've visited where every winery charges for the service.

Local winery maps will help you quite a lot as you seek out the wineries – actually they are something of a necessity considering the rolling hill topography and many country roads. Our preference was to read through the local winery guidebooks and pick out wineries that seemed especially interesting – then go directly to those. Perhaps it would be more efficient to start driving and just stop at the wineries on your way. Either way, there are wineries here of all sizes, from larger corporate entities to Mom and Pop operations that are little more than a spare room with a few wine vats.

One of the smaller wineries we visited was the Casa de Caballos Vineyards where we talked with Scott Tobin, son of the winery's founder Dr. Thomas Morgan. While in residency at the Orange County Medical Center, Dr. Morgan experimented with fruit and berry wines as a hobby. Originally he and his wife, Sheila, just made enough wine for themselves and friends but it soon became apparent that they couldn't drink all that they produced. This winery has now grown from an acre to six acres of grapes and, when you visit, you'll get a bonus: it's also part Arabian horse farm, satisfying one of Sheila's lifelong passions.

Over at Turley Wine Cellars, visitors get a chance to taste what has become a "cult wine" – a wine that is in limited supply and often higher priced than many competitors. We learned that Turley, which produces wines elsewhere in California, bought the old Pesenti Winery in 2001 because David Turley wanted the 80-year-old Zinfandel vines on the property. The winery does small batches of 3,000 cases or so for each of its vineyards, creating an excellent variety and high demand for the product.

When we stopped at Wild HorseWinery, pourer Kyle Coots was more than willing to talk with us about the growing demand for the Wild Horse products. The winery started about 20 years ago and has grown to be one of the top producers on the Central Coast -- seven different wines altogether. Tastings at the Wild Horse are free.

On a previous trip we stopped by EOS Estate Winery just east of Paso Robles on Highway 46, where we watched 82-year-old Stan Meltzer put on what amounted to a clinic on Paso Robles wines. Meltzer's been doing this for 16 years and he was not reluctant to share is expertise and opinions with visitors:

"Certain wines do a far better job of cleansing the mouth for the most important thing – the next food," Meltzer explained. "When you bother to cook something eclectic – using herbs and spices and so on – and all you taste is the wine, then you've worked hard for nothing. You've overmatched your food."

Meltzer calls himself a wine "purest" because he closely matches his wines and foods. For example, the red zinfandels so prevalent in the Paso Robles area are best served with stews, pasta sauces, barbecue, French country chicken – Meltzer offered a long list of options, giving his visitors plenty of food for thought.

After a day of scenery and wine education, we drove back to the Carlton for dinner. As part of the renovation, the hotel has added the fine dining signature restaurant of diVINE, which was closed during our Monday visit, and the Carlton Restaurant and Grill. The latter proved to the perfect conclusion to our day in Wine Country – it's a stylish restaurant with heaping portions of gourmet-style cuisine ranging from steaks to seafood dishes, from sushi to wood-fired pizzas. This closed the deal for us on the Carlton – this hotel definitely is a prime spot for couples who want a romantic weekend in Tuscany but may have to settle for A-Tuscany-dero.

AT A GLANCE

WHERE: Atascadero is midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco along the Central California Coast. The city has several wineries of its own and is minutes away from wineries in Templeton and Paso Robles.

WHAT: The Paso Robles Wine Country is not as well-known as Napa, but coming on strong. In addition, San Luis Obispo County has great beaches and scenic seaside villages.

WHEN: Year-round.

WHY: The area is easily accessible from L.A. or San Francisco and offers some of California's best coastal scenery.

HOW: For more information on Atascadero and Paso Robles area wineries, phone the Atascadero Chamber at 805-466-2044 or visit www.atascaderochamber.org. For more information on the Carlton Hotel, phone 805-461-5100 or visit www.the-carlton.com. For more information on San Luis Obispo County, phone 800-6734-1414 or visit www.sanluisobispocounty.com.

Cary Ordway is president of Getaway Media Corp which publishes websites focused on regional travel. Among the sites offered by GMC are CaliforniaWeekend.com, focusing on California travel, and NorthwestTravelAdvisor, featuring Pacific Northwest travel destinations.

Tags: paso robles - tuscany - napa valley - carlton hotel

This is a refreshing article about the wineries that are popping up in Arizona. Most people don't think of Arizona as a place where good wine comes from. This article lists several wineries in Arizona that a wine lover can visit. I have never tried Arizona wines, but would be very interested in anyone's experience with them.

Arizona has always been a certain kind of place in the national psyche. It was the setting for untold B-Movies-the "oaters"-as the cheaply made westerns were often called. The hero thundering through the chaparral on a big white horse chasing cattle rustlers off the heroine's ranch personified best by John Wayne was a staple of the 1930's. It cemented Arizona's image as America's own real live desert to a nation of moviegoers, most who would never see a saguaro cactus in person. What most people don't know is Arizona's image as a desert is a small part of the picture. There is much, much more to it than the grand canyon, ranches, and cactus.

Ranching will always be a part of Arizona's image, but there is a new kind of wrangling going on here, and horses aren't a part of it. The humble grape is making itself into quite a celebrity in diverse places such as Benson, Elgin, Jerome, Sedona, and Cornville. Arizona's rich diversity of climate and topography have allowed grapegrowers the opportunity create a foothold in some of the most unlikely wine country in the U.S.

Or is it all that unlikely? Arizona has long been an under-appreciated agricultural producer. Besides the cotton and citrus we are known for, Arizona produces many grain crops, as well as a thriving dairy industry. Arizona's strong agricultural tradition is not well known, and what most people don't know is that the soil and climate in several locations in the state provide ideal conditions for numerous kinds of grape. After all, wasn't it in the Mediterranean that winemaking originally flourished? Dry warm conditions are perfectly acceptable to many grapes, and Arizona has that in spades.

Another factor that makes Arizona an excellent place to visit for a wine country getaway is the chance to see the natural rugged beauty of the state. You can visit the Sedona area, which has several wineries in close proximity to the red rock city. Hundreds of thousands of people make the short drive annually from Phoenix just to see Sedona itself. It is an enchanting place to visit, and adding stops to local vineyards will only enhance the trip. Bed and breakfasts are the rule year, and you will certainly not lack for things to see. Echo Canyon Vineyards, Jerome Winery, and Oak Creek Vineyard are all part of the Northern Trail of Arizona Vineyards. There are numerous more being planned.

If you visit the Southern Trail of Arizona wine country, you will have to hit the Sonoita Vineyards, the vineyard that made winemaking happen in Arizona. Just southeast of Tucson, the area boosts numerous vineyards, and boasts some of the most popular wines to come out of Arizona. Many wines of the area have been honored nationally and internationally, even by the usually less than impressed French media. The southeast Trail is also the home to the "Island in the Sky", a wonderfully unique and spiritual land where rock rises out of the ground in breathtaking spires and bluffs. Beautiful country is the norm here.

If you haven't the time to make the drive to these spots in the southeast, you can still enjoy a wine sojourn in the Phoenix metro area. Kokopelli Vineyards has established a winery and restaurant in Chandler, to bring their fine products closer to the city denizens. Their actual vineyard lies in the southeast of the state, so this is as easy as it gets for a taste of going to wine country if you have only a few hours instead of days. There is also a Cave Creek extension of Dos Cabezas Wineworks, where you can sample some of the well-respected vineyard's best. Visit www.arizonawines.com for information on the Arizona wine trail, as well as info on place to visit, area accommodations, and information on how to contact state vineyards.

Arizona's growth portends great things for the prospects of winemaking in the state. More and more people are being exposed to the state's least known but perhaps most enjoyable product. The benefit of it not being well-known yet is that you as can enjoy a quiet, unrushed visit to prime wine country, where you are likely to get personal service from the pioneering owners of Arizona's next great agricultural industry.

Topher Race is a nom de plume and alter-ego of the author, a useful disguise to hide loafing at his dayjob, while his time is better utilized by writing. He resides in Phoenix, Arizona. He writes fact-like-fiction short stories, which may never be available commercially. Come and see my blog Click Here!

Tags: arizona - winery - vineyard - wine - winemaking

An interesting article that talks about the wines and wineries of Indiana, specifically the Gaia Wines Contemporary Winery. This is a good review article and the kind of winery and vineyard review articles I would like to continue to post up here in the near future. It talks a bit about the history of the winery, the owners, a bit about the area surrounding the winery and their wine. It could have gone into more about the wines however.

Wine making and wine tasting has long been a favorite American
pastime, particularly in western states such as California - a
subject humorously portrayed in the hit 2004 film, Sideways.
Yet, this pursuit seems to have traveled across the
United States, with wineries appearing in the most unlikely of
locations. Indianapolis, for instance, is highly valued for
being a dedicated centre of sport; yet in 1996, Indianapolis saw
the opening of Gaia Wines Contemporary Winery, the 19th winery
in the area.

Named after the Greek Goddess of the
Earth, Gaia Wines is owned and run by Cellar Master Angee
Wallberry, and is the only winery in the US owned solely by a
woman. Since its opening, Gaia Wines has tried to fit into its
surroundings, but has also endeavored to create its own unique
niche in the marketplace. Located in the central, up-market
historic gallery and theater district on Massachusetts Avenue,
only a few minutes away from the luxury Conrad
Hotel, it has had to quickly establish a high reputation for
itself - and to no little success: since its opening, Gaia Wines
has managed to pull off the amazing feat of creating 14 new
award winning wines, introducing tours and wine tasting events
to the winery, as well as providing meeting rooms and playing
host to public functions.

Gaia Wines Contemporary
Winery also hosts various public activities, such as Sunday Jazz
and comedy shows, along with monthly specials and wine
appreciation classes. Clearly, Gaia Wines fits in well with
Indianapolis' growing wine tasting scene, which has been
emerging since the 1990s. Among Indiana's other wineries worth
visiting are the Chateau Thomas Winery, and the Easley Winery,
both of which offer free tasting sessions and regular tours, in
addition to meeting space, events and activities.

The success of Gaia Wines Contemporary Winery since it opened
ten years ago is not altogether surprising, as soil conditions
and climate in Indiana are optimal for wine production -
although this is not often acknowledged outside the state. In
particular, Indiana's conditions are great for cultivating the
increasingly popular Cabernet Sauvignon grape variety. The
impressive quality of Indiana wines has led to its vintners
being more generally acknowledged in the wider vintner community
across America and the globe. Though it may still not be
regarded on a scale to California's Napa Valley, Indiana is
certainly gaining regard as one of America's up-and-coming wine
growing regions; and if wineries continue to be as successful as
Gaia Wines Contemporary Winery, the future looks rosy.

About the author:
Michael is a keen writer living in Edinburgh. Michael's Website:
Be
lfast Airport Taxis

Gaia Wines - vineyard - Indiana - winery - winemaker

This is a rather detailed article of the Oakville wine country in California and some of the wineries and vineyards that are located in this region. Unfortuantely it doesn't mention many specific wineries of the region, it gives some history and why this region's wines may stand out.

To the wine connoisseur, Oakville is synonymous with the
magnificence and the majesty of California Cabernet Sauvignon.
But for those of us who do not spend our waking hours tasting
wine and researching viticulture philosophies, Oakville is just
another region in the Napa Valley. To the untrained eye,
Oakville is a sleepy town on Highway 29, but it has become
California's epicenter for Cabernet production.

H. W. Crabb first broke ground in Oakville in the middle of the
nineteenth century. His To Kalon Vineyard marked the launching
point of a storied winemaking history in Oakville, involving
battles with Phylloxera and Prohibition; and its ultimate rise
to excellence.

Phylloxera (pronounced: Phil - ox - erra) is an aphid like
insect that lives its parasitic lifecycle on the rootstocks of
grape vines. This menace brought many vineyards to their knees,
resulting in the largest wholesale devastation of vineyards in
California's history. Crabb did not succumb to the perilous
aphid; instead, he pioneered the implementation of Phylloxera
resistant rootstocks. This saved To Kalon Vineyard, and laid the
foundations for all Napa Valley Vineyards that followed.

These Oakville Vineyards, whose rise to prominence began in the
1950's, utilized perfect Cabernet growing conditions to
revolutionize California Wine. Warm, sunny days are the primary
aspect of the Oakville microclimate that lends itself to
Cabernet production. To the south of Oakville are the Yountville
Mounts, which block much of the fog that creeps through the
valley from the San Pablo Bay. This allows the Cabernet grapes
to bask in the sun's glory, giving rise to fruit forward,
complex and balanced Cabs.

Some of the best Cabs in the world come from this historic
region. And the crème de la crème of Oakville is Robert
Mondavi's Opus One. Anyone who has tasted this opulent Bordeaux
blend can attest to its brilliance.

Even though Oakville enjoys an ideal climate, the soil of this
region lays the foundation for premium quality Bordeaux blends
and varietals. The home to the best vineyards and wineries in
Oakville is affectionately known as the Oakville Bench. This
name originated from the landscape of the area; located above
the valley floor, but at the base of the Mayacamas Mountains.
Ever since the Sonoma Volcanics blanketed Napa County with ash
millions of years ago, nutrient rich sediment has been washing
down from the mountains, covering the Oakville Bench. This,
along with the sandy, rocky soil which naturally exists in
Oakville allows for elaborate, penetrating root systems and
healthy vines. These vines in turn produce grapes with unmatched
flavor and intensity.

Tags: Oakville - vineyard - california - winery - cabernet

Pages: 1 2

Learn about some of the wine producing regions and some of the vineyards and wineries in these regions. This article covers 6 different wineries in 6 different wine producing regions in the United States. And as you may have guessed, there are some from California mentioned in this article. What article that talks about wineries would leave out California?

For centuries now, vintners and great wine makers have been
tirelessly fermenting grapes, other fruits and flowers to
produce the wine that is served at feasts, parties and dinner
tables. Cultivating an appreciation of wine is a growing trend
in the US. Shops specializing in wine are appearing throughout
the country, not just in the traditional vineyard regions of
California, Oregon, and Virginia.

People who may not have grown up around wine are now drawn not only to sampling but also to collecting it. Tasting parties and special wine pairing events are a common theme in restaurants and in the home. With this comes an increase in interest in home storage. While proper
storage can help wines become even more exquisite, improper
storage can lead to ruined wine. There are thousands of
varieties or types of wine to choose from. White, sparkling, red
or rose wine are just some of the "colors" that you can choose
from.

Wine making is a very lucrative venture because there is a
worldwide market. France, Italy, Australia, Spain, Chile and the
United States have their share of the worldwide market and are
the leading countries which export and produce wine.

Meanwhile, South Africa, Argentina, Portugal and Germany aren't
far behind.

California is the state which boasts the most of wine producers
in the US. Vineyards are mostly found in Sonoma Valley,
Monterey, Paso Robles, Santa Ynez and Napa Valley.

Here are just some of the popular wine makers in the country:

1. Greenvale Vineyards & Winery
This vineyard is located in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. They
produce red and white wines located from grapes which are
locally grown. Chardonnays and Cabernets are produced from the
fertile soils of Greenvale Vineyards.

2. The Mount Pleasant Winery
Located north of St. Louis in Augusta, the Mount Pleasant
Vineyards and Winery produces the best wine out of quality
grapes. With Chambourcin grapes, a Nouveau-like wine is aged and
fermented. Chambourcin is a type of red grape grown mostly in
states located on the East.

Tags: California - winery - vineyard - sonoma valley - nappa valley - Greenvale Vineyards - Mount Pleasant Winery - Rhode Island - St. Louis

Pages: 1 2

Announcing! One of the Best Kept Secrets in the World of Wine...

Do you remember hearing that the best wines are now coming from
California?

Forget everything you've heard about California wine and listen,
on my summer vacation I discovered one of the best wine growing
areas in the United States. And it's not on the West Coast.

As it happens, my daughter asked me to take a trip with her to
look at a piece of property on the Western Slope of Colorado
that she and her husband were interested in. She needed my
expertise with evaluating the condition of the business that
accompanied the house and land.

"Just what is this business?" I asked her. She replied that it
was a vineyard. I had to think of that for a moment. I have my
college degree in horticulture and a vineyard has always been my
dream. But I would have never expected this of my daughter.

She knew that I have planted grapes wherever I've lived. A few
grapevines in the backyard, one or two growing up the side of
the house, or a couple hundred to experiment with when I've had
the land to do it.

Now, I was being told that she wanted to live my dream come
true. I questioned her as we drove across the Rocky Mountains
towards her new dream. Things like, "Do you know what this is
going to take?" "Have you seen me struggle to get my grapes to
grow under the Colorado Front Range conditions?"

As we came down in altitude, entering the Western Slope fruit
growing area, I began to understand her desire to own a vineyard
and expand it to support a small winery.

This area is truly a fruit growing delight. Vineyards and
orchards flowing over the mesas of the Colorado Western Slope
region. Cherries, peaches, apples, and of course grapes.

Unlike the eastern side of Colorado, the Western Slope has a
climate that is conducive to growing all sorts of fruit crops.
The noble European grape, V. vinifera, is well adapted to this
fruit growing region.

Tags: colorado - wine - vineyard - grape

Pages: 1 2

Well, apparently there IS a place where you can get Copper Ridge wine! The only place online that I have seen it is at Wine Legacy. They have the Copperridge Chardonnay '04 for $6 per bottle and the Copperridge Merlot '04 also for $6 per bottle. I don't know how long they will have them in stock, as you can get them by the case for only $72 also. This page lists
where to buy copper ridge wines

Click on the link above and when you get to the site, do a keyword search for "copper" to find the wine (the search box is on the right under the heading "keyword search"

I don't know how long they will have them in stock, so don't take me to task if they run out!

So there you have it! I am going to order some for myself as I have heard too many people rave about this wine!

Tags: copperridge - copper - ridge - wine - winery

Boutique wineries are becoming more popular as the number of wineries grows ever year. This article gives a good background of some of the smaller lesser known wineries in Napa Valley. It points out some of the differences in experiences you will have when visiting these wineries and why it would be an enjoyable experience for any wine lover.

Most Napa Valley visitors have heard of Robert Mondavi wines,
Sutter Home and Beringer. You can buy and enjoy their wines in
most U.S. grocery stores and wine shops.

But, most
visitors have never heard of Elk Horn Peak, Hagafen, Miller,
Madrigal or Stelzner (to name just a few...).


There's more than 350 wineries in the 38 mile long Napa Valley
and only a few dozen are widely known. That doesn't mean they
are the best. Sure, they make good wine, but so do many of the
really small wineries.

Small and boutique wineries
are real "hands on" operations. They are fun, friendly and have
tons of character.

Some, like Elk Horn Peak are
really laid back and built into an old barn. Ken makes an
outstanding Pinot Noir.

Others, like Cosentino,
have a tasting room right on Highway 29. If you like Zinfandel,
their's is terrific.

The magic of small wineries
and vineyards is the character and individuality they provide
the Napa Valley visitor.

One company, Vintners
Collective, was formed to be a collective of wines from wine
makers who all scored 90+ in Wine Spectator, but were too small
to have their own tasting room. So, in one place, you can sample
an incredible collection of fantastic wines by wine makers
dedicated to the art of fine wine.

Small wineries
and vineyards can give you a level of customer service and
attention you may not receive at larger wineries. And, small
wineries can't afford to have an attitude either. Their friendly
attitude is genuine and fun. Goosecross and Stelzner are great
examples of this. And their are tons more, too.


Often small and boutique wines are priced reasonably and provide
a great value for the incredible quality you receive. The value
of a wine isn't the price, it is what tastes good to you.
Inexpensive wines can be just as good or better than expensive
wines. I remember doing a blind tasting of Chardonnays a few
years ago and out of 6 wines the most expensive wine came in
last place when scored by the entire group.

Some of
these small wineries, like Bouchaine and V. Sattui, have picnic
tables and can even offer food, appetizers and nibbles to go
with a bottle of their fine wine (food and wine at additional
cost).

While many of these small and boutique
wineries will sell you wine through the Internet, you don't have
an easy way to find out which ones you like the best...unless
you go their.

So, the next time you visit the Napa
Valley to taste wines, try small wineries and vineyards. They'll
make the experience an enjoyable and memorable one. And you can
have wines shipped to your home or business to share with family
and friends.

About the author:
Article by Steve Sands. If you're planning a tour of Napa Valley
wine country, pick up Steve's guide at:
http://bestnapavalleywinetours.com/

Tags: napa valley - winery - vineyard - california - wineries - wine - Zinfandel

This isn't your typical article about Napa Valley wine country wineries. This article covers some of the history of Napa Valley, and some of the communities in the region but it also lists 77 of the wineries located in the region. This is all in one place, and makes it a very good resource article.

Wine Country California is called a region of Northern California, known by its premium wine-growing region since the year 1838. In Wine Country California there are over 200 wineries The area includes Napa Valley in Napa County, and the Sonoma Valley, Alexander Valley and Russian River Valley in Sonoma County

Some of the region's major communities include Kenwood, Healdsburg, Sonoma, Santa Rosa, Napa, Calistoga, Geyserville, Bodega Bay, historic Fort Ross, and Ukiah. Wine Country proper is generally regarded as the combined counties of Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino and Lake, but wine grapes are harvested throughout much of northern California. Napa Valley Wineries

Napa Valley is considered to be one of the most important American viticultural areas in California and the United States. From the beginning of twentieth century there were more that 140 wineries.

Some of the most important Napa Valley wineries that still exists in California state are Charles Krug Winery, Chateau Montelena and Beringer.

Viticulture in Napa suffered especially in the period of alcohol prohibition that started in 1920. Also many vines were destroyed by a root louse called phylloxera. Because of these two events many vineries had to stop doing business. After the Second World War, the wine industry in Napa was on the rise again.

The region reputation was growing especially after the results of the famous Paris Wine Tasting of 1976, where judges considered Napa Valley Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon better than several famous French labels in a blind tasting format.

Today there are more than 200 wineries in the Napa region of California. There are many organized Napa valley wine tours where California tourists can see many famous wineries and taste these world-famous wines. Many different grape varieties are being grown like Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Zinfandel, and other popular varietals. Each year over 5 million tourists visit Napa Valley each year. It is visited by as many as five million people each year, making it the second most popular tourist destination in the state, second only to Disneyland.

Tags: napa valley - california - winery - vineyard

Pages: 1 2

This article is about wine tours and visiting wineries and vineyards in the northern california region outside of San Francisco. It gives some basic information on what kinds of wine tours you can take, what is available and what you should do when tasting wine at a winery. It is an OK article that gives an overview of what you can do. While you certainly can't make plans from the information in this article, you will know what you should begin searching for.

For all wine lovers, a trip to San Francisco should also consist of a day trip to some of the fine vineyards that are in driving distance of the city. Many of these vineyards have charter packages available that will pick you up and bring you on a tour through the vineyard and allow you to sample their wines and then take you back, no worrying about drinking too much and then driving.

The wines that are available in the Sonoma Valley and Napa Valley of California have been known to change the minds people who claim that they don't have a taste for wine. The vast majority of the wines here are fine quality and are specially selected to show the level of quality that these vineyards have to offer. Whether you are an experienced wine taster or not doesn't matter, you will receive an excellent education about how the wine is made as well as be informed of all the different varieties available in the area.



If you aren't the tourist type and don't want to take one of the chartered bus tours you can also check into the smaller and more intimate option of an SUV tour. Granted, a tour like this will be much more expensive than the bus tours, but if you have the money to spend they are well worth the price just for the level of personal attention that you receive and the piece of mind that someone else is driving instead of you. You will also be able to take in some of the smaller independent wineries that don't make themselves available to the larger bus tours. If you think you may want to try this type of tour, plan ahead at least a week because they do not have the flexibility of filling empty seats that they larger charters have.



When you are going to a vineyard or winery for a tasting experience there are some things you will want to keep in mind to make the visit as enjoyable as possible. One of the things that many people don't think about is wearing fragrances. Don't wear any perfumes or other scents as these will interfere with the taste and fragrance of the wine. Also, to avoid warming the wine you want to hold the wine by the stem. To cleanse the palate you should have some crackers or plain bread that you can eat between tastings.



A visit to the California Wine Country will give you a great education about all of the varieties of wines and the regions they come from as well as the differences between them all which will be fascinating even if you have never had a glass of wine in your life.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about wine and Wine Gift Baskets at http://www.oldworldvineyard.com

Tags: sonoma valley - nappa valley - wine tour - wine tasting - wine country