As well as wineries and vineyards, this region is also home to Pebble Beach Golf Course on the Monterey Peninsula, the rugged coastline of Big Sur and Hearst Castle in San Simeon.
Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys are California’s great interior, nestled between the coastal mountain range and the Sierra Nevada. When joined, they stretch nearly 400 miles, from Shasta County in the north to Kern County in the south, merging at the Sacramento/San Joaquin River Delta.

These valleys are California’s market basket. Sacramento is home to the California State Capital and the California State Fair, and San Joaquin Valley grows a host of agricultural products such as cotton, grains, vegetables, fruits and nuts. The Sierra Nevada is even further inland, and is known for its rough-and-ready pioneering spirit and winemaking tradition that dates back to the mid-1800s Gold Rush days. Nearly 180 wineries nestle in the nooks and crannies of this region, and the major wine varieties include Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz Chardonnay, Merlot and Barbera.

The Southern California region extends from Ventura County, north of Los Angeles, to the southern border of California below San Diego. While the region may be better known for its beaches and theme parks, it’s also the birthplace of California winemaking. In 1769, Father Junipero Serra planted wine grapes at Mission San Diego de Alcala. This region is great for those that want to see a bit of everything, you can explore the landmarks of Hollywood, the magic of Disneyland, and the adventure of the San Diego Zoo - all while enjoying the fruits of the region’s vineyards. Varieties of wine to try here include the classic Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, also don’t miss the “new-wave” Rhône, Italian and Spanish varieties.

To discover more about California and its wines, including planning a trip to the State visit www.discovercaliforniawine.com