California's "Other" Wine Regions

Every wine-producing country in the world has a premier region.  Most countries have one area that stands above the rest: in Argentina it's the Mendoza Valley, Rioja has long been the classic region of  Spain, and in Australia, there's the Barossa Valley. 

A few countries boast two top wine regions: Piedmont and Tuscany in Italy; Burgundy and Bordeaux in France.  Based on diversity and size, California is generally accepted as the top U.S. region, with the Napa Valley at the top of the list in the Golden State. 

Of course, putting Napa Valley first rankles some California wine fans, who point to Sonoma, as well as other regions.  And it should be said that there are others who object to California as premier, voting instead for Washington state or Oregon. 

But, even if we agree that Napa Valley and Sonoma are the California leaders, there are many other places in the state known for wine.  Here is a short list and the wine or wines that bring each area the most attention. 

Looking toward the bay in Los Carneros

Carneros, or more correctly, Los Carneros, is one of California's two-county appellations. Carneros stretches across  the north end of the San Francisco Bay, in Napa and Sonoma counties. Los Carneros ("the rams" in Spanish) is a cool climate region, suited for Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and sparkling wines.  Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah are also grown.

 Lake County, on the eastern flanks of Napa and Mendocino, is not as accessible as either of these places.  The seven official sub-appellations are gathered around or near Clear Lake, with most vineyards exposed to more sunshine, at elevations of 1,500 feet or higher.  An added benefit  is the moderating influence of Clear Lake.  Lake County is most known for Cabernet Sauvignon,  Sauvignon Blanc and Tempranillo.

Lodi is the Goldilocks wine region, neither too hot nor too cold.  Located in California's  northern Central Valley, Lodi grows an impressive 128 wine grapes, but is known for Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.  Breezes from the nearby Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta moderate the climate, allowing for popular old-vine blends, with Carignan and Alicante Bouchet.

Livermore Valley was a premier wine region before the rising popularity of Napa and Sonoma. Today, its popularity trails behind both places. East of the San Francisco Bay, Livermore is a warm area that still manages to produce Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.  Other varieties of note are Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Cabernet Franc and Tempranillo.

Mendocino is known for its two distinct main growing areas: the warmer inland area around Ukiah and the cooler marine-influenced Anderson Valley.  The interior area, including Redwood Valley, is suited for growing Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, while in the cooler Anderson Valley Pinot Noir, Riesling and sparkling wines are best known.  

Monterey, in agricultural terms, has a split personality.  The inland Salinas Valley, known as "America's Salad Bowl," grows row crops like lettuce, artichokes and carrots.  Coastal Monterey is wine country, especially in the Santa Lucia Highlands, noted for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and Arroyo Seco, long an area for Riesling and Rhone varieties.

Paso Robles is where Zinfandel had its day in the 1880s, with the planting of the regions first Zin and the founding of York Mountain Winery.  Situated in San Luis County, the large region has 11 sub appellations, specializing in Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and white and red Rhone varieties, supplied in large part by the winery and nursery of Tablas Creek.

Santa Barbara County vineyard

Santa Barbara has an unusual land arrangement with the Pacific Ocean.  The mountains run east-west, instead of the more usual north-south.  The open passage exposes vineyards to cooling sea breezes.  Chardonnay came first in Santa Barbara, followed by Pinot Noir, established by Sanford & Benedict in the early 1970s.  Burgundy varieties found a home in the Santa Maria Valley, whereas, because of the east-west orientation,  a more diverse group of grapes, including Rhone varieties, are planted in the Santa Ynez Valley. 

Santa Cruz Mountains appellation, between Santa Cruz and San Jose, is slowly being encroached by spreading commercial development.  Still, thanks to pioneers like Ridge Vineyards, David Bruce and later, Randall Grahm, cool climate grapes like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay were well suited.  Grahm's Bonny Doon Vineyard pushed for Rhone varieties and Ridge took advantage of the warmer part of the region for Cabernet Sauvignon.

Sierra Foothills multi-county wine region, along the western edge of the Sierra Nevada mountains.  The area's heritage as a wine region goes back to the aftermath of the 19th century Gold Rush, when miners traded panning for gold for planting vines.  Zinfandel was among the first varieties to take root in places like Amador County.  In no particular order, Bordeaux varieties, Rhone white and red grapes and Spanish varieties like Tempranillo, followed.

California is a big state with numerous wine regions and a lot of wine.  Take a break from Napa and Sonoma and pull the cork on a wine from one of California's other wine regions. 

 

Next post: Yammering About Wine

Leave a comment, without signing in to Google, at boydvino707@gmail.com