
California Wine U.S.
Learn about Californian wine, common tasting notes, where the region is and more ...
Responsible for the vast majority of American wine production, if California were a country, it would be the world’s fourth largest wine-producing nation. The state’s diverse terrain and microclimates allow for an incredible range of wine styles, and unlike tradition-bound Europe, experimentation is more than welcome here. Wineries range from tiny, family-owned boutiques to massive corporations, and price and production are equally varied. Plenty of inexpensive bulk wine is made in the Central Valley area, while Napa Valley is responsible for some of the world’s most prestigious and expensive “cult” wines.
Each American Viticultural Area (AVA) and sub-AVA of has its own distinct personality, allowing California to produce wine of every fashion: from bone dry to unctuously sweet, still to sparkling, light and fresh to rich and full-bodied. In the Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc dominate vineyard acreage. Sonoma County is best known for Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel. The Central Coast has carved out a niche with Rhône Blends blends based on Grenache and Syrah, while Mendocino has found success with cool climate varieties such as Pinot noir, Riesling and Gewürztraminer. With all the diversity that California has to offer, any wine lover will find something to get excited about here.
-
Joseph Phelps Insignia 2012Bordeaux Red Blends from Napa Valley, California
- JS
- JD
- RP
- CG
- WE
- WS
- W&S
-
Pride Mountain Vineyards Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2012Cabernet Sauvignon from St. Helena, Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WS
- WE
-
Brandlin Cabernet Sauvignon 2012Cabernet Sauvignon from Mt. Veeder, Napa Valley, California
- WS
- JS
- WE
- RP
-
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cask 23 Cabernet Sauvignon 2012Cabernet Sauvignon from Stags Leap District, Napa Valley, California
- RP
- D
- WS
- WE
-
Williams Selyem Ferrington Vineyard Pinot Noir 2012Pinot Noir from Anderson Valley, Mendocino, California
- WE
-
Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon 2012Cabernet Sauvignon from Stags Leap District, Napa Valley, California
- RP
- JS
- WE
- WS
- D
-
Williams Selyem Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2012Pinot Noir from Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California
- W&S
- WE
-
Darioush Signature Cabernet Sauvignon 2012Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- WE
-
Williams Selyem Terra de Promissio Vineyard Pinot Noir 2012Pinot Noir from Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California
- WS
- WE
-
Williams Selyem Rochioli Riverblock Vineyard Pinot Noir 2012Pinot Noir from Russian River, Sonoma County, California
- WE
-
Spring Mountain Vineyard Elivette 2012Bordeaux Red Blends from Napa Valley, California
- JS
- WE
- WW
-
Trombetta Gap's Crown Vineyard Pinot Noir 2012Pinot Noir from Petaluma Gap, Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California
- WE
-
Hanzell Chardonnay 2012Chardonnay from Sonoma County, California
- WE
- W&S
-
Sea Smoke Cellars Southing Pinot Noir 2012Pinot Noir from Central Coast, California
- WE
-
Hourglass Cabernet Sauvignon 2012Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WE
- WS
-
Williams Selyem Allen Vineyard Pinot Noir 2012Pinot Noir from Russian River, Sonoma County, California
- WE
-
Williams Selyem Coastlands Pinot Noir 2012Pinot Noir from Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California
- WE
-
Ravenswood Old Hill Zinfandel 2012Zinfandel from Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County, California
- WS
- WE
-
Hanzell Sebella Chardonnay 2012Chardonnay from Sonoma County, California
- WE
-
Williams Selyem Burt Williams Morning Dew Ranch Pinot Noir 2012Pinot Noir from Anderson Valley, Mendocino, California
- WE
-
Dominus Estate 2012Bordeaux Red Blends from Yountville, Napa Valley, California
- RP
- JS
- WE
- WW
- WS
- W&S
-
Goldeneye Gowan Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir 2012Pinot Noir from Anderson Valley, Mendocino, California
- WS
- WE
- CG
-
Nickel & Nickel C.C. Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon 2012Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California
- JS
- WE
- RP
-
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Fay Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2012Cabernet Sauvignon from Stags Leap District, Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WE
- WS
- D
- W&S
-
Joseph Phelps Pinot Noir Quarter Moon Vineyard 2012Pinot Noir from Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California
- RP
- WE