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Napa Valley: Silverado Trail Only a couple of hours' drive north of San Francisco, the Napa Valley has reigned as among California's most iconic wine regions since the mid 1970s. One of the best ways to explore it is the lesser-known Silverado Wine Route. Located on the eastern side of the valley, the quiet, two-lane country road snakes it way around towering oak trees, quintessential vineyards, boutique art galleries and even the odd Michelin-starred restaurant. Popular with Napa locals, this bucolic stretch is an infinitely more picturesque, less hectic alternative to the more commonly travelled State Highway 29. Photo: incamerastock / Alamy Stock Photo -
Placer County: Gold Rush Country One of the more unique routes, Placer County's wineries lie between Sacramento and the Lake Tahoe ski fields at the foothills of the Sierras. This is goldrush country; in fact, the year that carpenter James Marshall discovered the first nuggets here in 1848 coincides with the planting of the first grapes. An especially warm climate during summer months means the 20 or so wineries around Interstate 80 can produce bolder varietals more typical of Spain or Italy. With such a scenic setting, it's also a great region to kick back with a picnic blanket and sample of a few of your recent cellar door acquisitions. Photo: nik wheeler / Alamy Stock Photo -
Napa Valley: Silverado Trail. Only a couple of hours' drive north of San Francisco, the Napa Valley has reigned as among California's most iconic wine regions since the mid 1970s. One of the best ways to explore it is the lesser-known Silverado Wine Route. Located on the eastern side of the valley, the quiet, two-lane country road snakes it way around towering oak trees, quintessential vineyards, boutique art galleries and even the odd Michelin-starred restaurant. Popular with Napa locals, this bucolic stretch is an infinitely more picturesque, less hectic alternative to the more commonly travelled State Highway 29. Photo: Bob Kreisel / Alamy Stock Photo -
Santa Barbara: Santa Rita Hills. A more sedate option with fewer than 10 wineries, this beautiful area's character has been fashioned by the cooling effects of the Pacific Ocean, making it ideal to produce pinot noirs and chardonnays. As you wind your way among undulating hills, orchards and towns that look lifted from the set of an old Western, look out for standout wineries such as Mosby, known for its Italian varietals, Lafond for its heavy-hitting syrahs and the wonderful boutique selection at Babock Winery. If heading in from Santa Barbara, the coastal views along Highway 101 take some beating. Photo: Bernard Barcos / Alamy Stock Photo -
Temecula Valley: Up and Away. Southern California's answer to wine country is a surprise to many given its location on the outskirts of the desert. But wine has been grown here since the 1960s and the number of wineries has since swelled to well over 40, with many producing bolder varietals such as cabernet sauvignon and Zinfandels thanks to the toastier climate. The still, arid air also makes this a popular hot-air ballooning destination, something that's marked annually in the first weekend of June with the Temecula Valley Balloon and Wine Festival. Photo: LHB Photo / Alamy Stock Photo -
Mendocino & Sonoma: The Wine Road. Encompassing Dry Creek Valley, Russian River Valley and Alexander Valley, "The Wine Road" as it's known is a spectacular route through Sonoma's wine country. Situated about 65 kilometres north of San Francisco, it twists through redwood forest and undulating hills scattered with more than 150 vineyards. With many wineries now charging a tasting fee, it's worth considering the "Ticket to the wine road" pass options. Ranging from one to three days, they offer discounts on wines, tastings and even accommodation on a range of self-guided visits to cellars around the region. Photo: HANDLEY CELLARS -
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Napa Valley: Silverado Trail Only a couple of hours' drive north of San Francisco, the Napa Valley has reigned as among California's most iconic wine regions since the mid 1970s. One of the best ways to explore it is the lesser-known Silverado Wine Route. Located on the eastern side of the valley, the quiet, two-lane country road snakes it way around towering oak trees, quintessential vineyards, boutique art galleries and even the odd Michelin-starred restaurant. Popular with Napa locals, this bucolic stretch is an infinitely more picturesque, less hectic alternative to the more commonly travelled State Highway 29. Photo: incamerastock / Alamy Stock Photo of -
Placer County: Gold Rush Country One of the more unique routes, Placer County's wineries lie between Sacramento and the Lake Tahoe ski fields at the foothills of the Sierras. This is goldrush country; in fact, the year that carpenter James Marshall discovered the first nuggets here in 1848 coincides with the planting of the first grapes. An especially warm climate during summer months means the 20 or so wineries around Interstate 80 can produce bolder varietals more typical of Spain or Italy. With such a scenic setting, it's also a great region to kick back with a picnic blanket and sample of a few of your recent cellar door acquisitions. Photo: nik wheeler / Alamy Stock Photo of -
Napa Valley: Silverado Trail. Only a couple of hours' drive north of San Francisco, the Napa Valley has reigned as among California's most iconic wine regions since the mid 1970s. One of the best ways to explore it is the lesser-known Silverado Wine Route. Located on the eastern side of the valley, the quiet, two-lane country road snakes it way around towering oak trees, quintessential vineyards, boutique art galleries and even the odd Michelin-starred restaurant. Popular with Napa locals, this bucolic stretch is an infinitely more picturesque, less hectic alternative to the more commonly travelled State Highway 29. Photo: Bob Kreisel / Alamy Stock Photo of -
Santa Barbara: Santa Rita Hills. A more sedate option with fewer than 10 wineries, this beautiful area's character has been fashioned by the cooling effects of the Pacific Ocean, making it ideal to produce pinot noirs and chardonnays. As you wind your way among undulating hills, orchards and towns that look lifted from the set of an old Western, look out for standout wineries such as Mosby, known for its Italian varietals, Lafond for its heavy-hitting syrahs and the wonderful boutique selection at Babock Winery. If heading in from Santa Barbara, the coastal views along Highway 101 take some beating. Photo: Bernard Barcos / Alamy Stock Photo of -
Temecula Valley: Up and Away. Southern California's answer to wine country is a surprise to many given its location on the outskirts of the desert. But wine has been grown here since the 1960s and the number of wineries has since swelled to well over 40, with many producing bolder varietals such as cabernet sauvignon and Zinfandels thanks to the toastier climate. The still, arid air also makes this a popular hot-air ballooning destination, something that's marked annually in the first weekend of June with the Temecula Valley Balloon and Wine Festival. Photo: LHB Photo / Alamy Stock Photo of -
Mendocino & Sonoma: The Wine Road. Encompassing Dry Creek Valley, Russian River Valley and Alexander Valley, "The Wine Road" as it's known is a spectacular route through Sonoma's wine country. Situated about 65 kilometres north of San Francisco, it twists through redwood forest and undulating hills scattered with more than 150 vineyards. With many wineries now charging a tasting fee, it's worth considering the "Ticket to the wine road" pass options. Ranging from one to three days, they offer discounts on wines, tastings and even accommodation on a range of self-guided visits to cellars around the region. Photo: HANDLEY CELLARS of -
You may also like these photo galleries
Napa Valley: Silverado Trail
Only a couple of hours' drive north of San Francisco, the Napa Valley has reigned as among California's most iconic wine regions since the mid 1970s. One of the best ways to explore it is the lesser-known Silverado Wine Route. Located on the eastern side of the valley, the quiet, two-lane country road snakes it way around towering oak trees, quintessential vineyards, boutique art galleries and even the odd Michelin-starred restaurant. Popular with Napa locals, this bucolic stretch is an infinitely more picturesque, less hectic alternative to the more commonly travelled State Highway 29.
See napavalley.com/guides/silverado-trail-wineries/
Mendocino & Sonoma: The Wine Road
Encompassing Dry Creek Valley, Russian River Valley and Alexander Valley, "The Wine Road" as it's known is a spectacular route through Sonoma's wine country. Situated about 65 kilometres north of San Francisco, it twists through redwood forest and undulating hills scattered with more than 150 vineyards. With many wineries now charging a tasting fee, it's worth considering the "Ticket to the wine road" pass options. Ranging from one to three days, they offer discounts on wines, tastings and even accommodation on a range of self-guided visits to cellars around the region.
See wineroad.com
Placer County: Gold Rush Country
One of the more unique routes, Placer County's wineries lie between Sacramento and the Lake Tahoe ski fields at the foothills of the Sierras. This is goldrush country; in fact, the year that carpenter James Marshall discovered the first nuggets here in 1848 coincides with the planting of the first grapes. An especially warm climate during summer months means the 20 or so wineries around Interstate 80 can produce bolder varietals more typical of Spain or Italy. With such a scenic setting, it's also a great region to kick back with a picnic blanket and sample of a few of your recent cellar door acquisitions.
See placerwine.com
Napa Valley: Silverado Trail
Only a couple of hours' drive north of San Francisco, the Napa Valley has reigned as among California's most iconic wine regions since the mid 1970s. One of the best ways to explore it is the lesser-known Silverado Wine Route. Located on the eastern side of the valley, the quiet, two-lane country road snakes it way around towering oak trees, quintessential vineyards, boutique art galleries and even the odd Michelin-starred restaurant. Popular with Napa locals, this bucolic stretch is an infinitely more picturesque, less hectic alternative to the more commonly travelled State Highway 29.
See venturacountywinetrail.com
Temecula Valley: Up and Away
Southern California's answer to wine country is a surprise to many given its location on the outskirts of the desert. But wine has been grown here since the 1960s and the number of wineries has since swelled to well over 40, with many producing bolder varietals such as cabernet sauvignon and Zinfandels thanks to the toastier climate. The still, arid air also makes this a popular hot-air ballooning destination, something that's marked annually in the first weekend of June with the Temecula Valley Balloon and Wine Festival.
Santa Barbara: Santa Rita Hills
A more sedate option with fewer than 10 wineries, this beautiful area's character has been fashioned by the cooling effects of the Pacific Ocean, making it ideal to produce pinot noirs and chardonnays. As you wind your way among undulating hills, orchards and towns that look lifted from the set of an old Western, look out for standout wineries such as Mosby, known for its Italian varietals, Lafond for its heavy-hitting syrahs and the wonderful boutique selection at Babock Winery. If heading in from Santa Barbara, the coastal views along Highway 101 take some beating.
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