Beyond Napa & Sonoma

While Napa and Sonoma may reign as California’s most iconic wine regions, there’s a world of extraordinary vineyards and hidden gems beyond their well-trodden paths. These celebrated locales offer more than just incredible wines—they boast stunning scenery, renowned architecture, and top-tier dining. Below are three other wine destinations that every wine loving traveler should have on their radar! 

Beyond Napa & Sonoma: 3 Other California Wine Destinations Worth Savoring

There’s no denying that Napa and Sonoma are the epitome of wine destinations in the U.S., and maybe even the world. Fantastic wines, incredible architecture, great gastronomy and a picturesque landscape bring them to the top of wine destinations. Being so popular, it’s only natural they’re crowded and more expensive than some of the lesser-known Californian wine destinations. Let’s explore three wine destinations in Central California that often fly under the radar of wine lovers!

Paso Robles

Central Coast offers a lively and fun wine tourism experience. Forget the serious wine tastings in the tasting room of the Napa wineries. Here, you can relax at picnic tables next to the numerous streams, play games and hang with your friends, all while tasting some excellent wines.

Paso Robles is mostly known for its southern Rhone varieties, featuring the GSM, Grenache-Syrah-Mourvedre blends for reds, and Viognier and Grenache Blanc for whites. The warm climate of the region allows them to ripen perfectly, and the wineries have proven they can compete, or perhaps even surpass, the wine quality of their counterparts in France.

Santa Cruz Mountains

There’s no better way to get a full view of the San Fransisco Bay. Climbing up the narrow streets towards the high-altitude vineyards of the Santa Cruz Mountains, the bay appears in all its majesty under your feet. There are fewer wineries here, so make sure to call and reserve a spot,  the proximity to the Bay Area and the wonderful atmosphere made them very popular among the locals.

The high-altitude vineyards and wineries offer much-needed relief from the hot weather in the summer months. The cooler conditions, mean the wine styles are much lighter and more elegant and perhaps also spicy, compared to grapes grown in Napa. However, the quality of the wines is at a similar level, often at a fraction of the price, except for a few prized, historic wineries.

Monterey

Monterey is the perfect place to visit for any nature lover. You can observe the sea elephants and sea otters, while enjoying your favorite local wine and oysters, at one of the seaside restaurants. Bringing a winter coat, even in the summer, is recommended, as temperatures can drop significantly during the night and early morning. However, the fog retreats back into the sea during the day, letting the sun shine, meaning you can sit at the winery patio during your tasting.

The morphology of Monterey allows for the production of many different wine styles. Expanding your reach and visiting wineries in different locations will allow you to taste all of what the region has to offer. From crisp sparkling wines and light Pinot Noir close to the coast, to rich Cabernet Sauvignon as you go up the Salinas Valley. Since Monterey is not a popular wine destination yet, you can expect no crowds and a walk-in, no reservation policy in most wineries, so you can organize your visits stress-free in your own schedule.

Wine regions of California Central Coast

Visiting Central California is a great alternative to Napa Valley or Sonoma County. Not only is it a short drive from both the Bay Area and Los Angeles, but you can expect a relaxed atmosphere, get in contact with nature and recharge your batteries. Take a weekend trip, and explore the under-the-radar wine regions of the Central Coast!

By Evmorfia Kostaki, DipWSET 

Evmorfia Kostaki, DipWSET, is a vinicultural expert with the VinoVoss “AI Sommelier” smartphone app and  web-based semantic wine search and recommendation system developed by Better AI. The user-friendly online platform picks the perfect wine every time, for any occasion courtesy of a highly advanced artificial intelligence assist.  A wine professional working in different aspects of the wine industry, Evmorfia Kostaki holds an M.Sc. in Viticulture and Enology from the Universities of Montpellier, Bordeaux, Udine and UC Davis, as well as the WSET Diploma. She is also currently a Stage 2 Master of Wine student. Evmorfia is the owner of a new boutique winery in Samos, Greece, where she farms 3.2ha of organic vineyards with Muscat à Petits Grains.