The Northern California wine regions have earned their reputation among the world's best. Amid fruit orchards and ranch lands, these sunny valleys kissed by cool coastal fog have made Napa and Sonoma into California's premier wine-growing region. It's about quality, not quantity, that sets the region apart, with chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon being some of their finest. The wine regions can be visited year-round, in summer enjoy a chilled glass outside with a picnic or in the cooler months enjoy a glass of red by a roaring fire. The busiest time for the wine regions is known as 'crush season' when the wine in harvested starting in early September through to late October. Just a short drive north of San Francisco, the wine regions are well worth a visit for a few days. Just Like a fine wine, the valley shouldn't be rushed, it's a place to take your time, relax, restore and reconnect.
Napa Valley The Napa Valley is the world's premier wine, food, arts and wellness destination, stretching approximately 35 miles through picturesque small towns and villages. Boasting more than 500 wineries, ninety-five percent of which are family-owned and operated, winery tasting rooms warmly welcome guests for fun and educational tastings for beginners to connoisseurs. Napa is a foodie destination that offers a countless choice of farm to fork and local restaurants plus more Michelin stars per capita than any other wine region in the world! Offering an abundance of outdoor activities, you can rejuvenate whilst hiking through a nature preserve, explore a local farmers market, play 18 holes of golf surrounded by rolling vineyard hills, or simply soak in the geothermal springs.
Sonoma CountySonoma County boasts hundreds of wineries, miles of pristine coast, and lush forested parks-all within 50 miles of San Francisco's Golden Gate. Famous for its premium wines, sharing the pedestal with Napa Valley, in Sonoma County however you're just as likely to stumble across extraordinary wines being crafted out of a backyard setup. Sonoma County is also a craft beverage paradise, with at least two dozen operating breweries, close to a dozen cider producers, and more than a dozen distilleries. Experience arts and culture, outdoor activities in the redwoods, whale watching along the coast, or take a hike in the magnificent state and regional parks. From wine lovers to nature enthusiasts, from families to couples on a romantic getaway, Sonoma County offers something for everyone.
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