Top Wine Regions in California: Where to Stay and What to Sip

California’s advantageous position along the Pacific Ocean, combined with its fertile soil, results in some of the finest wines globally. Many of the state's wine regions are enhanced by picturesque drives, where charming beach towns nestled among towering cliffs and swaying palm trees are just a short distance from lush farmland and flourishing vineyards. The state is home to more than 100 designated vineyard zones known as American Viticultural Areas (AVAs), divided into four primary wine-producing regions: the North Coast, Central Coast, Central Valley, and South Coast. Notable subregions include Napa and Sonoma in the northern part of the state.

Wine enthusiasts can schedule tastings at some of the premier wineries in the north while exploring family-owned boutiques throughout the Central Coast. Whether you're returning to savor California's unique terroir or planning your inaugural visit and feeling unsure of where to start, here are some outstanding wine regions in California worth considering.

Anderson Valley

Nestled on California’s northern coast in Mendocino County, this area is renowned for producing some of the state’s finest sparkling wines and pinot noirs, and it proudly features one of the highest concentrations of certified organic and biodynamic wines in the entire state.

In the northwestern region, a thick fog rolling in from the Mendocino coast creates an ideal climate for Maggy Hawk Vineyard’s exquisite pinot noir and chardonnay. In 2022, the winery opened a tasting room in Philo, where guests can schedule appointments for experiences such as pairing pizza with pinot. Pennyroyal Farms offers tastings of its artisanal cheeses and wines, alongside farm tours that include a stroll through its solar-powered barn filled with animals. Be sure to try their popular Pinotrio, a delightful dry blend of pinot gris, pinot noir, and pinot blanc. For those in the mood for sparkling wine, Roederer Estate was among the region's pioneering producers. For an indulgent treat, opt for the Nosh menu, which features luxurious offerings like Tsar Nicoulai caviar, smoked salmon, duck rillettes, and Marcona almonds.

Sonoma County

Somewhat less overwhelming than its bustling neighbor Napa, Sonoma County exudes a rare, come-as-you-are charm that’s hard to find in such a popular wine region.

Just outside Healdsburg, a tribute to the beloved juicy red French varietals that have shaped California-Bordeaux winemaking is celebrated at Vérité. Here, Pierre Seillan, alongside his daughter Hélène, crafts three primary Bordeaux blends (La Muse, La Joie, and Le Désir) from meticulously selected small plots known as 'micro-crus.' In April, Vérité completed an extensive renovation that includes a tasting salon, underground cave, and several tasting spaces offering stunning views of the rolling hills and vineyards. If you're seeking a luxurious experience with remarkable wines, be sure to make a tasting room appointment ahead of time.

Another beloved winery of mine is Three Sticks, situated in downtown Sonoma. This family-owned boutique winery specializes in small-lot pinot noir and chardonnay, and their new spring releases—the 2021 Durell Vineyard Origin chardonnay and 2021 Monarch pinot noir—are excellent choices to sample their craftsmanship. Lastly, don’t miss Aperture Cellars, where you can savor the flavors of baked plum and cherries in winemaker Jesse Katz’s cool-climate Bordeaux varietals.

Explore our complete list of top wineries to visit in Sonoma.

Where to stay

After a day full of tastings, unwind at the nearby bungalow-style Montage Healdsburg, nestled among moss-draped oak trees on picturesque hills. At its renowned farm-to-table restaurant, Hazel Hill, indulge in French-inspired Californian cuisine like wagyu strip loin paired with duck fat potatoes, all complemented by an impressive selection of wines.

Paso Robles

California’s Central Coast boasts an abundance of wineries, with San Luis Obispo County alone hosting over 250 vineyards, many of which are family-run. In the Paso Robles region, you can find popular varietals such as cabernet sauvignon, merlot, zinfandel, syrah, and chardonnay. Its coastal location provides an ideal environment for cool-climate-friendly viogniers and pinot noirs.

The city’s streets are dotted with tasting rooms, featuring highlights like Copia, Indigené, and Détente. For a more immersive experience, visit L’Aventure, where winemaker Stephan Asseo cultivates Rhône-style syrah, cabernet sauvignon, and petit verdot blends to produce Optimus and the Estate Cuvée. My personal favorite is the 2019 Côte à Côte, a harmonious blend of grenache, syrah, and mourvèdre that delivers a delightful medley of blue fruits and spring flowers on the palate.

At the family-operated Clos Solène, French varietals adapt beautifully to the Central Coast’s unique terroir. The Fleur de Solène, a red blend of syrah, cabernet franc, and grenache, is both fresh and approachable right now. For dining options with remarkable wine selections, reserve a table at the French farm-to-table bistro Les Petites Canailles for a bowl of mussels with spicy nduja and roasted garlic, or visit the always vibrant In Bloom for contemporary California dishes. In eastern Paso Robles, Cass presents wines that capture the essence of the cool breezes from nearby river terraces, including its aromatic marsanne.

Where to stay

Stay at the Piccolo, a charming four-story boutique hotel that offers personalized service along with a delightful rooftop and lobby fireplace for your enjoyment.

Santa Barbara

Often referred to as the American Riviera due to its relaxed, small-town atmosphere and Mediterranean climate, Santa Barbara features six regions with AVA designation. Mediterranean-style architecture rises above a vibrant downtown, with some of the finest vineyards in the state located less than an hour away.

In downtown, top tasting rooms include Jaffurs, where the skilled winemaker Stephen Searle crafts Rhône varietal wines, featuring a medium-bodied syrah with hints of cardamom and blackberry sauce. Although it’s not a tasting room, the Lark restaurant stands out as one of the best venues to savor Santa Barbara wines by the glass or bottle, enjoyed in an outdoor setting alongside delicious buttermilk fried chicken thighs and homemade pappardelle with garlic butter beurre blanc. Next door, the Santa Barbara Wine Collective offers tasting flights from beloved local producers such as Fess Parker, Notary Public, and Babcock. Just down the street, La Paloma Cafe is famous for its Baja-inspired cuisine and mezcal margaritas, but it’s the wine list—featuring Casa Madero’s lively rosé and Marcio Lopes Pequenos Rebento’s juicy and acidic pét-nat—that completes an afternoon on their patio for brunch.

Where to stay

Check into the newly opened 45-room Drift hotel, showcasing Santa Barbara’s modern coastal design. On the lobby level, Dusk cocktail bar is a local favorite for those looking to enjoy a spicy mezcal cocktail along with small bites like avocado tostada.

Los Olivos in Santa Ynez

Located just 45 minutes north of downtown Santa Barbara, Los Olivos in the Santa Ynez Valley provides a charming escape with vineyards at every corner. The downtown area is home to over 30 tasting rooms, many of which are family-owned. Be sure to visit Future Perfect for small-lot sauvignon blanc, pinot noir, and syrah, and nearby Story of Soil, where winemaker Jessica Gasca serves her refreshingly vibrant pinot noir.

One of the finest representations of Los Olivos's terroir can be found at the Brewer-Clifton Tasting Room, where winemaker Greg Brewer crafts chardonnay and pinot noir that highlight the intricate nature of the region's marine-based soils. At the wine-centric seafood tavern Bar Le Cote, chef Brad Matthews collaborates closely with local winemakers and farmers to create fresh dishes, such as scallop crudo paired with pickled black pearl mushrooms, resulting in one of the most coveted dining experiences in the area.

Where to stay

Fess Parker has recently renovated its cherished Fess Parker Wine Country Inn, offering 19 modern rooms and suites just a stone's throw away from downtown's tasting rooms. Also newly introduced is their Epiphany Tasting Garden, featuring a shaded garden space for sampling their popular varietals, including a carbonic grenache and apricot-infused roussanne.

Santa Maria Valley

A touch cooler than its neighboring Santa Barbara, Santa Maria Valley is known for its lively chardonnay and pinot noir that reflect the local climate. This Santa Barbara County AVA boasts over 7,000 acres of vineyards and hiking opportunities, gaining recognition from the film Sideways. At the family-owned Cambria Estate, sisters Katherine and Julia create single vineyard expressions from the coastal ridges of the Valley, including chardonnay and pinot noir. The Foxen Canyon Wine Trail features 14 tasting rooms, with notable stops like Tres Hermanas and Rancho Sisquoc.

Where to stay

Skyview in Los Alamos is a charming 33-room roadside motel transformed into a boutique hotel, conveniently located just a short walk from delightful dining options like the French-inspired bistro Bell’s and the farm-to-table restaurant Pico.