Exploring California’s Lesser-Known Wine Country
For wine enthusiasts seeking intimate wine-tasting experiences without the traffic and tour bus crowds, lesser-known wine regions in California offer an inviting alternative to Napa and Sonoma. Getting off the beaten track offers the chance to discover high-quality wines in new destinations. The tasting rooms in these regions offer a more relaxed vibe with far more elbow room. They also tend to be less expensive. Plus, you’ll often have the chance to meet the winemakers themselves, offering a more personal connection to the wine.
Below are just some of California’s lesser-known wine destinations along with suggestions for small boutique hotels and B&Bs nearby to stay.
Amador Wine Country
In the Sierra Foothills, Amador County’s wine history dates back to the Gold Rush. As fortune seekers from around the world flocked to the Sierras to look for gold, wineries cropped up to quench the miners’ thirst. Some of the oldest vineyards in the state, like the Deaver Mission Vineyard and the original Grandpère Vineyard, still thrive here, producing heritage Zinfandel from vines cultivated for over 150 years. The pioneering spirit lives on in a new generation of winemakers who have expanded beyond Amador’s signature Zinfandel to produce an array of Italian, Rhone, and Iberian varietals, including Barbera, Syrah, Sangiovese, and Viognier. The region’s warm climate, volcanic soils, and cooler evening temperatures create ideal conditions for growing high-quality wine grapes. In Amador County, there are now over 45 boutique and family-owned wineries producing award-winning wines and earning international acclaim.
Where to stay
A Tuscan-inspired estate in the Shenandoah Valley, Grand Reserve Inn offers five luxurious suites with sweeping views of Wilderotter Vineyard. Within an easy drive of dozens of tasting rooms, Rest, A Boutique Hotel is a thoughtfully designed, contemporary hotel with luxurious amenities. The nationally acclaimed Taste Restaurant and Wine Bar is located just two doors down. In the charming Gold Rush town of Sutter Creek, the historic Hotel Sutter blends the romance of the Old West with stylish accommodations. It’s located just steps from wine-tasting rooms in downtown Sutter Creek.
Anderson Valley
North of Sonoma in Mendocino County, the Anderson Valley is among the northernmost wine-growing regions in California. The redwood-flanked valley cuts laterally through the coastal range rather than lying between ridges. As such, the west or “deep end” of the Anderson Valley starts just a few miles from the Pacific Ocean and extends some 20 miles east. The unique geography results in a wide diurnal range, with daily high and low temperatures occasionally diverging 40 or 50 degrees. This enables Pinot Noir growers to keep acid development in line with sugar and flavor formation through long, warm Indian summers. The conditions also produce superb Gewurztraminer and Riesling. Then there’s sparkling wine. With several méthode champenoise sparkling houses, Anderson Valley is a bubbly paradise as well. Altogether, the Anderson Valley is home to more than 60 family-owned wineries and dozens of charming tasting rooms. The experience recalls an earlier time in California’s wine history: one far removed from the crowds and far more intimate and approachable.
Where to Stay
Inspired by Italian agriturismos and nestled amid the vineyards outside of Philo, The Madrones features elegant guest rooms with an onsite wine-tasting room, restaurant, and cannabis apothecary. Overlooking the Mendocino Coast, the historic Little River Inn offers a fabulous Wine Tour package of the Anderson Valley. The inn also features a golf course, spa, restaurant, and bar, and a range of accommodations with stunning ocean views. Also on the coast, the Brewery Gulch Inn curates a nightly wine hour featuring local Anderson Valley wines. The inn can arrange tours and has close ties with several wineries that offer discounts or waive tasting fees for the inn’s guests.
Carmel Valley
Less than 15 miles inland from Carmel-by-the-Sea and Monterey, Carmel Valley’s vineyards stretch along rugged mountains high above the coastal fog. Dramatic temperature swings between the region’s warm sunny days and cool nights extend the ripening time and growing season. As a result, the grapes mature slowly, deepening in their complexity. The terrain and climate also contribute to the rich, full-bodied wines. Bordeaux varietals reign here, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, which comprise 70% of the Carmel Valley AVA. This is one of the best regions to enjoy a wine-tasting tour on foot. Most of the tasting rooms, including Bernardus Winery, Holman Ranch Vineyards, and Joullian Vineyards are located within a short stroll of each other. Several more tasting rooms are a short drive away.
Where to Stay
Carmel Valley Lodge is located within walking distance of more than 20 wine-tasting rooms. With their wine-tasting special, guests staying three or more nights can enjoy free wine-tasting at five local tasting rooms. The charming, pet-friendly lodge features outdoor art, a pool and hot tub, fire pits, and beautiful gardens.
Lake County
Just north of Napa and Sonoma, Lake County calls itself “the undiscovered Wine Country,” but it wasn’t always that way. Winemaking in Lake County stretches back to the Gold Rush era and flourished through the early 20th Century until Prohibition brought wine production to a halt. Winemakers turned to growing walnuts and pears, which remain the region’s top agricultural products. But winemaking in Lake County is enjoying a resurgence thanks to a new generation of winemakers drawn by the region’s unique terroir. The volcanic soils and higher elevations produce grapes with thicker skins and more intensely concentrated fruit. Hot summer days followed by cool nighttime temperatures add to the quality and complexity for bolder varietals. For wine enthusiasts, the serene natural beauty and less commercialized atmosphere offer a far more authentic, personalized experience. Boutique wineries to check out include Wild Diamond Vineyards, Six Sigma Ranch Winery, Shannon Ridge Mercantile, and Chacewater Winery & Olive Mill.
Where to stay
In Upper Lake, the beautifully restored Tallman Hotel evokes a simpler, bygone era with understated elegance. After a day of exploring Lake County, it’s the perfect place to unwind. Some of the guest rooms even offer private ofuro soaking tubs. Next door, the Blue Wing Saloon and Restaurant serves a wide selection of local Lake County wines.
Livermore Valley
Forty-five minutes east of San Francisco, Livermore Valley is among the oldest wine regions in California. Robert Livermore planted the first commercial vines in the 1840s. Other pioneer winemakers including C.H. Wente, James Concannon, and Charles Wetmore recognized the area’s winegrowing potential and established wineries in the early 1880s. While Napa Valley became famous after the 1976 Judgment of Paris, Livermore Valley put California on the map nearly a century earlier when Wetmore’s dry white wine won the Grand Prix at the International Paris Exposition in 1889, becoming the first from California to win a French competition. Nearly 80% of California’s Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon vines trace their genetic roots to a Wente or Concannon clone. Today, the region is home to over 40 wineries, including the fourth and fifth-generation winemakers at Concannon Vineyard and Wente Vineyards and relative newcomers such as Bent Creek Winery and Garre Vineyard & Winery.
Where to Stay
Located just 10 minutes from the Livermore Wine Trolley, The Purple Orchid Wine Country Resort & Spa provides a relaxing retreat after a day exploring wine country. Guests can unwind poolside with beautiful views of the gardens and olive orchards, indulge in a spa treatment, enjoy complimentary evening wine and hors d’oeuvres, and wake up to a full breakfast each morning.
Murphys and Calaveras County
The early years of the Gold Rush marked the beginnings of a flourishing wine industry in Calaveras County. Would-be gold prospectors arriving from Italy, Spain, and France found similarities with the climate and terrain of their home countries and saw the potential for winemaking. The first vineyards in the region were planted in 1851, and they struck gold in the form of wine grapes. By the late 1800s, Calaveras County was the fourth-largest wine-producing region in the state. But the wine boom ended with Prohibition and the vineyards lay fallow for decades. Since the 1970s, winemaking in Calaveras County has enjoyed a revival. In the charming Gold Rush town of Murphys, Main Street is now lined with 22 tasting rooms pouring 52 varieties of hand-crafted wine. Oenophiles will find Spanish and Italian varietals like Barbera, Tempranillo, Mourvedre, Nebbiolo, and Grenache, as well as old vine Zinfandels, Cabernet, and Petite Sirah. Each year, Murphys’ popular Grape Stomp is held on the first Saturday in October at Murphys Community Park.
Where to Stay
Located in downtown Murphys, the Victoria Inn and the historic Dunbar House are ideal for visitors wanting to explore Murphys’ tasting rooms on foot. Both inns offer concierge services with winery recommendations and insider tips. Book a stay of two or more nights at either inn and enjoy a complimentary bottle of local wine with wine tour recommendations. Mention code EM2024 when making reservations. Valid on new reservations only through October 15, 2024. Just outside of downtown Murphys, the Courtwood Inn is a cedar log bed and breakfast set on a five-acre hilltop offering stunning views from every room. The inn pours local wines and features a different local winery each month.
Paso Robles
Far from traffic-choked wine-tasting routes in Napa and Sonoma, the two-lane roads meandering through Paso Robles wine country are far less traveled, but the wines are no less esteemed. Located halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco on California’s Central Coast, Paso Robles has dusted off its cowboy boots to emerge as a preeminent wine destination. “Paso,” as it is called locally, is the fastest-growing wine region in California with 40,000 acres of vineyards and over 200 wineries. With 11 AVAs, the region’s diverse microclimates produce more than 60 different varietals ranging from Spanish to French to Italian, as well as California classics. Not beholden to the long-standing conventions of other wine regions, vintners in Paso have earned their acclaim with non-traditional, innovative blends. The region is best known for its Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, Syrah, and Chardonnay.
Where to stay
Nestled on 270 acres of vineyards in western Paso Robles, the Inn at Opolo is a luxurious hideaway. The three suites—each with its own private entrance—feature fireplaces, king beds, jetted soaking tubs for two, and bucolic views from the wrap-around veranda. The Opolo Vineyards tasting room is just a short walk away.
Santa Barbara County
Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the cult-classic film Sideways made a star out of Santa Barbara wine country. Sidestepping Miles and Jack’s misadventures, visitors can follow in their path to discover an incredible array of high-quality wines. The unique orientation of the region’s east-west valleys creates a patchwork of micro-climates and terrains that are ideal for producing premium wine. From the cool coastal areas in the Santa Maria Valley and Sta. Rita Hills to the warmer inland Santa Ynez Valley, the range of climates produces over 70 different grape varieties in seven unique AVAs. In northern Santa Barbara County, Santa Maria Valley is California’s second oldest AVA. Santa Ynez Valley is an overlying AVA that includes four sub-AVAs: Sta. Rita Hills, Ballard Canyon, Los Olivos District, and Happy Canyon. The newest AVA is Alisos Canyon near the small town of Los Alamos. Of the 275 wineries, many are boutique, family-owned ventures where the winemakers themselves are likely to be pouring their own wines.
Where to stay
In the Danish village of Solvang, the Atterdag Inn offers a complimentary wine-tasting passport that entitles guests to 2-for-1 tastings at over 30 local tasting rooms and wineries, including several within walking distance. In Los Olivos, the luxurious Fess Parker Wine Country Inn and Fess Parker Family Portfolio is celebrating 35 years of winemaking in Santa Barbara County with its “Best of Fess” package. Taking its name from the film, the Sideways Inn is a spirited boutique hotel in Buellton welcoming pets, wedding parties, and palates of all kinds.
For a truly extraordinary experience in Santa Barbara wine country, reserve a stay at the San Ysidro Ranch. One of California’s most illustrious boutique hotels is also home to one of the world’s most impressive hotel collections of rare wine. The ranch recently launched the Ty Warner Wine Collective, which invites guests to discover the intricacies of winemaking through exclusive, expert-led wine-tasting experiences. One-of-a-kind programming is tailored to each guest’s unique palate and preferences and includes personalized consultations, curated tasting classes with some of the world’s rarest bottlings, and guided excursions to nearby invite-only wineries in Santa Barbara Wine Country.
In addition to the procurement of ultra-exclusive wines and the launch of the Ty Warner Wine Collective, guests can enjoy a no-holds-bar exploration of the world’s finest wines in the Secret Cellar. Set in the innermost layer of the property’s lauded wine cellar, the experience touts three wine pairing menus inspired by the great wine regions of the world paired perfectly with Executive Chef Matthew Johnson’s seasonally inspired tasting menu.
