Wine
A Guide to California Wineries
Discover Some Of Our Favorite Independent Wineries in the State
October 13, 2023
California Primes the World’s Palate
California wines have had the greatest influence on the world’s palate in the past 25 years. Not only does California produce more wine than any other state, making 81% of wines in the U.S., it’s also the world’s fourth-largest producer. And while more than 6,200 wineries call the Golden State home, many of them are family-owned businesses who have spent generations producing limited quantity, high-quality wines for collectors and enthusiasts.
At Sommsation, we live and breathe the world of independently crafted wine. Our team of 30+ highly trained sommeliers have established relationships with many of the best independent wineries in California (and around the world), some of which you may not even know about, and are always on the lookout for the next hidden gem.
Read on for a deep dive into some of our favorite independently owned wineries in California.
A Bird’s Eye View of California Wines
Wine grapes are grown across California—in fact, they flourish in 49 out of California’s 58 counties, across 630,000 acres and 148 American Viticultural Areas (AVAs). Each AVA has to submit information to the government on their soil type, elevation, sun exposure and other climatic and geological characteristics that make them unique enough to merit their own designation.
More than 100 grape varieties are grown in California—more than any other state in the U.S. California’s diverse range of soils, elevations, topography, and microclimates means you can sip a different grape from a different region of California, and never run out of wines to try. From bold and opulent inland reds grown on valley floors to aromatic whites clinging to steep slopes on the coast to brambly mountain wines, there’s something for every mood.
And while the proliferation of grapes being grown in California is undeniable, it’s equally clear that there are a few special AVAs that consistently produce some of the best wines in the world.
Wineries in the North Coast, which encompasses the Napa Valley and Sonoma, reign supreme in the Golden State judging from acclaim from critics and scarcity. Many cult wineries have waiting lists for their wine clubs, members of whom snap up their releases so fast very few outside of their circle can even dream of accessing them.
Sonoma County is one of the most expansive and diverse growing regions in California. It's located north of San Francisco, bordering the Pacific Coast, and expanding inland. In total, about 60 grape varieties are grown there, in 19 distinct appellations with their own microclimates. One of the most well-known is the Alexander Valley AVA, at the northern end of Sonoma County.
The Alexander Valley is celebrated for its structured but elegant Cabernet Sauvignons. Los Carneros, on the southern end of the Sonoma Valley—and straddling the Napa-Sonoma county line—enjoys the influence of the Pacific and San Pablo Bay, along with the Petaluma Wind Gap. Sparkling wines shine here. The Russian River Valley AVA, is one of the most celebrated regions for growing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the world; the cool climate and coastal fog that meanders in from the Pacific along the Russian River create slow ripening conditions for balance and complexity.
But there are several other AVAs with equally compelling—if different—terroirs, populated by independent winemakers creating elegant, sophisticated wines that aren’t as famous as their more bold-faced cohorts, but are already creating waves among sommeliers and key players in the industry.
If you haven’t explored Paso Robles, Santa Barbara or Mendocino in your glass recently, it’s time to revisit and taste the fruits of these vineyard visionaries and discover for yourself what drinks experts are buzzing about. If you don’t know where to begin, a few of our favorites include Halter Ranch Winery and Opolo Vineyards in Paso Robles, Paradise Springs Winery and TriCal Wine in Santa Barbara, and Alta Orsa and brick & mortar in Mendocino.
Sip Your Way Through California’s Hidden Gems
Ready to taste the hidden gem small-lot wines that we think represent the next wave of ground-breaking, independent winemaking in California and beyond?
For the Cabernet Sauvignon Lover
If you’ve been curious to try Cabernet Sauvignon from hard-to-find Napa powerhouses, try Seavey Vineyards' 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon.
This elegant wine opens with aromas of dark-purple violets, followed by fresh red plums and dark-roast coffee. A subtle note of sweetness mixes with savory dried herbs, scorched earth, graphite, and Seavey's signature minerality. Soft, generous, and coating in the mouth, this wine has a presence that lifts and expands to an unexpectedly long finish.
For Bubble Heads
French Champagne brands loved what they tasted in California so much, several set up houses and planted vineyards there, creating incredible traditional method sparkling wine in California. If refined Pinot Noir and Chardonnay blends get your pulse racing, try the 2022 Blanc de Noirs from Bell Wine Cellars.
The wine offers a palate that is delicate and refined, with toasted almond and unsweetened marzipan characterizing the entry. The beautiful but balanced acidity from these cool growing regions supports merengue, marshmallow and the strawberry flavors into the finish, livening up your taste buds for food.
For Pinot Noir Fiends
Sonoma, slightly cooler than Napa, with a diverse array of soils and a range of elevations, offers ideal conditions for world-class Pinot Noir. If you love a Pinot that can go toe to toe with a Burgundian counterpart, go for Daniel’s Grand Vent Vineyard 2020 Pinot Noir.
This small-lot Petaluma Gap AVA combines grace and delicacy with the nervous energy of the oceanborne elements of wind and fog. This wine displays brooding dark blackberry, mulchy dampness like a forest floor, and we detect a touch of menthol, perhaps from the eucalyptus groves surrounding the vineyard.
For Chardonnay Fans
The classic, European-style Chardonnay was put on the map in California in the 1970’s. Cellar-worthy, but arguably more graceful and elegant, this set the stage for a decades-long revolution in Chardonnay craftsmanship in California. For a traditional sensibility, made with California’s copious sunshine and modern style, try the brick & mortar 2022 Anderson Valley Chardonnay.
The wine delivers aromas of orange blossom, green apple, cherry blossom, dusty chalk, and lemon drop candies lift from the glass. The palate is medium bodied and smoothly textured. Flavors echo the aromas and linger on the palate reminding us of a young Chablis.
Plan a Visit to California’s Wine Regions
Sipping from afar can tell you a lot about a wine, but spending time in the region and vineyard where those grapes were grown will bring a whole new level of appreciation and understanding to your experience.
With thousands of wineries to choose from scattered across the state—there are more than 375 wineries and 90+ urban tasting rooms in Napa and 425 wineries in Sonoma alone—choosing where to begin can often feel like a game of pin the tail on the donkey.
To narrow your search, explore our interactive wine map for insight into where our carefully crafted partner wineries are so you can plan a few visits around them—they’d love to see you.
If you’re looking for advice on the best time of year to visit California wine country, the answer is, there is no bad time.
But the best time to visit, if you want to learn more about winemaking, is the late summer and fall when the grapes are at their peak of color and ripeness. Harvest in wine country is also a time of great celebration and excitement—you will feel the energy in the air, especially in and around tasting rooms and vineyards.
If you want to celebrate nature’s bounty and take in the beauty of the vineyards and fields, go to California in the spring, between March and May. That is when the bright yellow mustard comes into bloom and wildflowers crop up everywhere. The anticipation of a new season ahead is palpable.
If you're looking to visit the town with the best access to wineries, it’s a toss-up between Healdsburg, which sits at the intersection of the Russian River, Dry Creek and Alexander Valley, and Napa, which serves as the beating heart of California’s wine country. In addition to convenience, both offer a charming, walkable town with Michelin-starred restaurants, great wine bars and fabulous boutiques. If you’re looking for bragging rights, Napa is the more famous town; if you’re looking for a more insider vibe, Healdsburg is the ticket.
Our partner wineries near Napa and Healdsburg would love to host you. Check out Elyse Winery (Napa) and DaVero (Healdsburg) for unforgettable experiences, and find others here.
Need more guidance? Schedule a call with one of our sommeliers, who can share insight into the wines and regions of California that should be on your radar now.