Explore California Wine
From the iconic valleys of Napa and Sonoma to the absolute hidden gems of Paso Robles and Santa Barbara, California's wine regions beckon us wine lovers of the world with the charm and elegance of its wine grapes.
Join us in exploring some of the most asked questions regarding California wines!
What makes California wines unique?
California has a very diverse terroir which includes a wide range of microclimates, soil types and geographical features. This large scale of diversity allows their winemakers to cultivate an array of grape varietals from classic drops of Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay to some more unique blends.
Grape Varieties
Which grape varietals thrive in California?
California is known for their delicious buttery Chardonnay but that's not all. Several grape varieties thrive in California's various wine regions with some of the most prominent being Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Zinfandel and Syrah. Each of these varietals are well suited to the diverse terroir that is offered that side of the world, allowing winemakers to produce such a wide range of styles, from bold reds to crisp whites.
What are the top wine regions in California?
Boasting in several top wine regions that have been widely recognised world-wide California's microclimates show true style when it comes to wine-making. The Napa Valley and Sonoma County are known for its world-class Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The Paso Robles region is known for its bold red style drops and then you have Santa Barbara. Santa Barbara is one of the more recognised regions of wine in California and is the star of the show for its cool-climate wines such as Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
How was California's wine industry evolved over time?
Humble beginnings dated back to the 18th century to its current status as a global wine powerful, California's wine industry have truly evolved over the years to an extremely well recognised and highly awarded wine-producing country.
The industry had experienced a resurgence due to pioneering winemakers who introduced innovative techniques and focuses more on quality over quantity as the years went on. Today, you'll notice California is known for producing high end and quality premium wines that compete on the world stage with emphasis diversity, sustainability and of course, innovation.
California Terroir
What role does terroir play in California winemaking?
Terroir plays a very crucial role in the winemaking process in California, influencing the character and quality of wines that are produced in different regions.
The main characteristics of California's terroir are the climate, soil composition, elevation and exposure to sunlight. Each of these contribute to the unique flavours, aromas and unique characteristics of their wine.
Winemakers carefully select vineyards sites that are based on the terroir to ensure they get the optimal grape growing conditions and express the distinctiveness of each region in their wines.
California wine & food matches
California wines pair extremally well with a wide range of foods due to their versatile nature.
California Cabernet Sauvignon pairs great with grilled meats such as steak or lamb.
Californian Chardonnay compliments dishes such as roasted chicken and seafood.
Californian Pinot Noir is a classic choice for pairing slightly more earthy dishes together such as mushroom risotto and roasted vegetables.
Californian Zinfandel is a match made in heaven with barbecued ribs and spicy cuisine, a must try in our books!
