California Wines (243)

California - a Wine Region with Tradition and a Bright Future

More than 1,200 wineries - from small family-run businesses to large corporations in the wine industry - share a cultivated area of 1,943 km². Unlike the fragmented and comparatively densely planted Europe, there is still plenty of room for further rapid development of wine culture in the Golden State. California can already look back on a remarkably long tradition in viticulture by U.S. standards: The first vineyard was established in 1769, seven years before the Declaration of Independence of the United States.

The climatic conditions for viticulture in California could hardly be better. Warm to very hot summers, which usually bring enough rainfall despite occasional drought risks, alternate with mild winters. The risk of frost, which can ruin the harvest in late autumn and threaten young shoots in spring, is minimal. In addition, there is an extraordinary variety of soil types, allowing for ideal locations for the many different grape varieties with their varying needs. 

World-Famous Wine Regions in California

The wine regions in California are spread across four major regions: North Coast in the north of the San Francisco Bay, Central Coast between San Francisco and Santa Barbara, the continental climate-influenced Central Valley inland, and South Coast along the Pacific coast south of Los Angeles. 

Recognized wine regions are referred to in the U.S. as AVAs or American Viticultural Areas. Some of these AVAs coincide with the four major regions in California. Of worldwide fame and particular prestige are, for example:

Napa Valley

Located in the North Coast major region in Napa County. Since Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley won a blind tasting in Paris in 1976, even overshadowing the formidable French competition, wines from this region have positioned themselves globally among the top wines. In particular, the cuvées from Napa Valley are highly esteemed by wine connoisseurs worldwide.

Sonoma Valley

Located in Sonoma County in the North Coast major region and one of the most productive wine regions in the U.S. Sonoma Valley is characterized by a very extensive and diverse range of grape varieties, prominently featuring red Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Zinfandel, as well as white Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Gewürztraminer, and Riesling, the favorite white wine of the Germans.

Central Valley 

This, by far, the largest wine region in California includes significant wine areas like the Sierra Foothills AVA and the Lodi AVA. The red wines of Zinfandel, known as Old Vines, which grow on particularly old vines in the Lodi AVA, are famous. The red wines made from Syrah and Petite Syrah from the Sierra Foothills AVA are also very popular.

Central Coast 

More than half of the cultivated area in the Central Coast AVA is dedicated to Chardonnay, making this wine region especially important for white wine cultivation. Other high-quality white varieties grown in the Central Coast AVA include, for instance, Pinot Gris or Grauburgunder, Roussanne, Sauvignon Blanc, Grenache Blanc, and Albariño.

Recommendations for California Top Wines at VINELLO

Browse the online shop at vinello.de to discover your personal favorites among the highly sought-after California wines. For starters, we recommend one of the following four stars from the West Coast of the U.S.: 

Old Vine Zinfandel California - Gnarly Head: This is a beautiful example of one of the aforementioned red wines from old vines in the Lodi AVA in the Central Valley: Deep red in color, rich in body, and expressive berries make the Old Vine Zinfandel California an ideal companion for strongly seasoned barbecue and rump steak.

Merlot Blue Label Diamond Collection - Francis Ford Coppola Winery: The grapes for this very smooth red wine come from the regions of Sonoma, Monterey, and Paso Robles. Fruity aromas of blackberry and plum are complemented by a pleasantly earthy note of fresh wood, rounded off with mineral nuances and a hint of vanilla. As a table wine, Merlot Blue Label Diamond Collection pairs excellently with fish dishes and Mediterranean vegetables. 

Rosso & Bianco Shiraz - Francis Ford Coppola Winery: Aging in French and American oak barrels gives this rich and spicy wine a particularly complex character. It is made from red Shiraz (Syrah), Petite Syrah, and Zinfandel. The addition of white Viognier gives it its bright purple tone along with a fragrant floral aroma component. Rosso & Bianco Shiraz pairs wonderfully with pasta and potato dishes.

Order California Wines Online at VINELLO

Are you excited to create your own exploratory tour through California? Just browse our range - VINELLO offers numerous wonderful classics and exciting new discoveries. Discover the variety of wines and take advantage of our sommelier consulting. Secure shopping and guaranteed fast delivery ensure that your journey of enjoyment can begin quickly and leads you straight into wine pleasure.