North Coast
Main grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Zinfandel
Sub-regions: Napa Valley, Sonoma County, Mendocino County, Lake County, Oakville
Climate: California is famously diverse with regards to its climate, but the North Coast is known for being the coolest of the regions in this state. This is primarily due to the influence of large bay areas, particularly San Francisco, which provide cool winds and fogs further in land during the hot summers. Winters here tend to be mild, with very little threat of frost, so generally vintages tend to be very consistent.
You should know... This enormous region covers a total of 3 million acres, and it is considered by many the ‘Mecca’ of American wine, not least because it is home to around 800 wineries. Napa Valley is perhaps the best known of the North’s sub-regions after the famous Judgment of Paris in 1976 – in 2017 the 3rd most expensive wine in the world (excluding Bordeaux) originated from this region; Screaming Eagle.
Sub-regions: Napa Valley, Sonoma County, Mendocino County, Lake County, Oakville
Climate: California is famously diverse with regards to its climate, but the North Coast is known for being the coolest of the regions in this state. This is primarily due to the influence of large bay areas, particularly San Francisco, which provide cool winds and fogs further in land during the hot summers. Winters here tend to be mild, with very little threat of frost, so generally vintages tend to be very consistent.
You should know... This enormous region covers a total of 3 million acres, and it is considered by many the ‘Mecca’ of American wine, not least because it is home to around 800 wineries. Napa Valley is perhaps the best known of the North’s sub-regions after the famous Judgment of Paris in 1976 – in 2017 the 3rd most expensive wine in the world (excluding Bordeaux) originated from this region; Screaming Eagle.