# California wine regions and appellations Research date: 26 October 2026 (UTC). This guide covers 7 regional guides and 24 appellations: 22 AVAs and 2 county appellations. It is a selected guide, not a complete register. The regional guides follow broad Wine Institute travel areas. Clarksburg and the Delta have a separate local guide within the Inland Valleys. TTB records establish AVA names and county coverage. Federal boundary descriptions take priority over tourism summaries. The website groups each appellation under one travel region. These links do not define legal containment or vineyard eligibility. The guides describe real places. Wine listings and producer profiles use winery sources. Photo sources and rights are published separately. Grape examples describe regional production. They do not prescribe permitted varieties or guarantee the taste of a particular wine. ## Terms - **AVA:** American Viticultural Area. A defined grape area that TTB recognizes. - **Appellation:** A geographic name that identifies the origin of a wine. AVAs and county appellations are different types. - **County appellation:** An appellation that uses a county name. It does not require a separate AVA with that name. - **Travel region:** An editorial group that helps readers find destinations. Its limits can differ from an AVA boundary. - **Vineyard:** Land where growers cultivate grapes. - **Grape variety:** A named type of grape, such as Chardonnay or Pinot Noir. - **Climate:** The usual weather conditions of an area. - **Fog:** Small water drops in the air near the ground. - **Elevation:** The height of a place above sea level. - **Soil:** The surface material in which vines grow. - **Sparkling wine:** Wine that contains carbon dioxide bubbles. - **Fortified wine:** Wine to which a producer adds distilled alcohol. - **Dessert wine:** A wine style often served with dessert. This guide uses the term for visitor information. - **Rhône grape varieties:** A wine trade term for grapes associated with the Rhône region of France. ## Writing method The summaries apply ASD-STE100 Issue 9 descriptive-writing principles. Each sentence has no more than 25 words. Each paragraph covers one topic and has no more than six sentences. The text uses direct statements and consistent terms. Geographic names, grape names and the defined wine terms are project technical vocabulary. They retain their established spelling. The review includes sentence length, terminology, factual sources and paragraph structure. It does not certify complete dictionary compliance with ASD-STE100. ASD-STE100 reference: https://www.asd-ste100.org/assets/files/ASD-STE100_ISSUE9.pdf ## Research limits and source checks The guide omits acreage, winery totals, visitor opening hours and wine prices. These values can change and need separate checks. The Sonoma Coast tourism article contains an old statement about proposed West Sonoma Coast status. TTB now lists West Sonoma Coast as established. The TTB table appears to include an unrelated Alexander Valley label in its Sta. Rita Hills row. This guide excludes that apparent formatting error. The federal Sta. Rita Hills rule and Santa Barbara sources support its location. No relationship to Alexander Valley is asserted. The Far North and Trinity Lakes summaries omit unsupported claims about a dominant grape variety. AVA entries describe county coverage, not full county inclusion. Exact parcel questions require the federal boundary description and maps. ## North Coast — regional guide [Website guide](https://wine.sovsrc.ai/regions/north-coast) The North Coast includes Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino, Lake, Marin and Solano counties. This guide describes selected wine areas within that region. **Landscape:** The region has coastal hills, river valleys and inland vineyards. Conditions change between these areas. **Wine:** Examples include Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and Lake County Sauvignon Blanc. Coastal areas also produce Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. **Places to visit:** Napa Valley towns and Sonoma Valley offer wine visits. Clear Lake provides a separate destination for lake activities. **Boundary note:** North Coast is also an official AVA. Its boundary includes parts of six counties, rather than every vineyard in those counties. **Sources:** - [TTB: established AVAs](https://www.ttb.gov/regulated-commodities/beverage-alcohol/wine/established-avas) - [Napa Valley Vintners: the AVA](https://napavintners.com/napa_valley/) - [Wine Institute: Lake County](https://discovercaliforniawines.com/discover-california/north-coast/lake-county/) - [Sonoma County Tourism: Sonoma Coast](https://www.sonomacounty.com/wine/wine-areas-avas/sonoma-coast-wine-region-and-appellation/) - [Visit Napa Valley: towns](https://www.visitnapavalley.com/things-to-do/towns-regions/) ## Central Coast — regional guide [Website guide](https://wine.sovsrc.ai/regions/central-coast) This travel region connects the San Francisco Bay area with Monterey, Paso Robles and Santa Barbara County. **Landscape:** Ocean air reaches many coastal valleys. Inland sites can have warmer conditions. **Wine:** Monterey produces Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Paso Robles producers also make Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Zinfandel. **Places to visit:** The Salinas Valley and Santa Ynez Valley have wine visitor routes. Each area has separate towns and local visitor information. **Boundary note:** This travel grouping includes Santa Cruz Mountains. The official Central Coast AVA specifically excludes the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA. **Sources:** - [Wine Institute: California regions](https://discovercaliforniawines.com/discover-california/) - [Federal boundary: Central Coast](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-27/section-9.75) - [TTB: established AVAs](https://www.ttb.gov/regulated-commodities/beverage-alcohol/wine/established-avas) - [Monterey County Vintners: AVA guide](https://montereywines.org/about/avas/) - [Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance: winery guide](https://pasowine.com/wp-content/uploads/PasoRobles_PrintedGuide_Final_Print-low-res.pdf) - [See Monterey: Salinas Valley](https://www.seemonterey.com/food-drink/wineries/salinas-valley-wineries/) - [Visit Santa Ynez Valley: towns](https://www.visitsyv.com/towns/) ## Clarksburg & the Delta — regional guide [Website guide](https://wine.sovsrc.ai/regions/clarksburg-delta) Clarksburg is a wine area in the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta. This guide gives it a separate place within the Inland Valleys. **Landscape:** Warm days and cool Delta breezes influence local vineyards. River channels and farmland form the surrounding landscape. **Wine:** Local growers produce Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot, Petite Sirah and Sauvignon Blanc. **Places to visit:** Clarksburg provides a local base for wine visits. Grower information describes the farms and grapes of the area. **Boundary note:** Clarksburg is an official AVA. “Clarksburg & the Delta” is our travel grouping, rather than an official AVA name. **Sources:** - [TTB: established AVAs](https://www.ttb.gov/regulated-commodities/beverage-alcohol/wine/established-avas) - [Clarksburg Winegrape Growers: grapes and growers](https://www.clarksburgwinecountry.com/about-us) - [Vinum Cellars: Clarksburg vineyard conditions](https://www.vinumcellars.com/about-us/our-vineyards/clarksburg) - [Wine Institute: Lodi and the Delta](https://discovercaliforniawines.com/discover-california/inland-valleys/lodi-and-the-delta/) ## Sierra Foothills — regional guide [Website guide](https://wine.sovsrc.ai/regions/sierra-foothills) The Sierra Foothills contain wine areas east of the Central Valley. This guide covers the broad AVA and El Dorado. **Landscape:** Vineyards occupy hills and mountain slopes. The region also contains historic Gold Rush towns. **Wine:** Amador County growers produce Zinfandel, Barbera, Sangiovese, Syrah and Viognier. El Dorado also has a long association with Zinfandel. **Places to visit:** Amador County and El Dorado County provide routes through wine areas and historic communities. **Boundary note:** Sierra Foothills is both a regional name and an official AVA. Our regional links help navigation and do not define legal boundaries. **Sources:** - [TTB: established AVAs](https://www.ttb.gov/regulated-commodities/beverage-alcohol/wine/established-avas) - [Wine Institute: Amador County](https://discovercaliforniawines.com/discover-california/sierra-foothills/amador-county/) - [Wine Institute: El Dorado County](https://discovercaliforniawines.com/discover-california/sierra-foothills/el-dorado-county/) ## Inland Valleys — regional guide [Website guide](https://wine.sovsrc.ai/regions/inland-valleys) The Inland Valleys travel region includes Lodi, the Delta, the Sacramento Valley and the San Joaquin Valley. **Landscape:** Large areas of farmland extend through these valleys. Local conditions differ between the Delta and areas farther south. **Wine:** Lodi has a long history with Zinfandel. Madera producers also make dessert wines. **Places to visit:** Lodi and Madera provide separate wine destinations. Clarksburg has its own Delta guide on this website. **Boundary note:** Inland Valleys is a travel grouping. Lodi, Clarksburg and Madera are separate official AVAs. **Sources:** - [Wine Institute: California regions](https://discovercaliforniawines.com/discover-california/) - [Wine Institute: Lodi and the Delta](https://discovercaliforniawines.com/discover-california/inland-valleys/lodi-and-the-delta/) - [Wine Institute: Madera County](https://discovercaliforniawines.com/discover-california/inland-valleys/madera-county/) - [TTB: established AVAs](https://www.ttb.gov/regulated-commodities/beverage-alcohol/wine/established-avas) ## Southern California — regional guide [Website guide](https://wine.sovsrc.ai/regions/southern-california) Southern California includes Temecula Valley, the Los Angeles area, Cucamonga Valley and San Diego County wine areas. **Landscape:** Temecula Valley has warm conditions with coastal fog. Other southern wine areas have different local conditions. **Wine:** Temecula producers make wines from Italian and Rhône grape varieties. Cucamonga Valley has a history of Zinfandel production. **Places to visit:** Temecula Valley offers winery visits. Cucamonga Valley provides another destination with historic vineyards. **Boundary note:** Southern California is a travel grouping. The South Coast AVA has a specific boundary and does not include every southern wine area. **Sources:** - [Wine Institute: California regions](https://discovercaliforniawines.com/discover-california/) - [Wine Institute: Temecula Valley](https://discovercaliforniawines.com/discover-california/southern-california/temecula-valley/) - [Wine Institute: Cucamonga Valley](https://discovercaliforniawines.com/discover-california/southern-california/cucamonga-valley/) - [TTB: established AVAs](https://www.ttb.gov/regulated-commodities/beverage-alcohol/wine/established-avas) ## Far North California — regional guide [Website guide](https://wine.sovsrc.ai/regions/far-north-california) Far North California is a travel region near the northern end of the state. This guide includes the Trinity Lakes AVA. **Landscape:** The wider region contains forests, mountains and coastal areas. Trinity County also has lakes and river valleys. **Wine:** This research does not establish a single grape variety for the whole region. Individual wine labels provide more specific information. **Places to visit:** Trinity County offers lake activities, forest routes and historic communities. Lewiston is one of its visitor destinations. **Boundary note:** Far North California is a travel grouping, rather than an official AVA. Trinity Lakes is an official AVA in Trinity County. **Sources:** - [Wine Institute: California regions](https://discovercaliforniawines.com/discover-california/) - [Wine Institute: Far North California](https://discovercaliforniawines.com/discover-california/far-north-california/) - [TTB: established AVAs](https://www.ttb.gov/regulated-commodities/beverage-alcohol/wine/established-avas) - [Trinity County: visitor information](https://www.trinitycounty.org/350/Visitors) ## Anderson Valley — appellation guide [Website guide](https://wine.sovsrc.ai/appellations/anderson-valley) Anderson Valley is an AVA in Mendocino County. It lies within the Mendocino and North Coast AVAs. **Landscape:** The Navarro River runs through the valley. Ocean influence and large changes between day and night temperatures affect vineyard conditions. **Wine:** Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are major local grapes. Growers also produce Gewürztraminer. **Places to visit:** The valley provides a wine destination near the Mendocino Coast. Local winegrower information explains the vineyard areas. **Boundary note:** An Anderson Valley label identifies a specific area within Mendocino. It does not describe all of Mendocino County. **Sources:** - [TTB: established AVAs](https://www.ttb.gov/regulated-commodities/beverage-alcohol/wine/established-avas) - [Anderson Valley Winegrowers: climate and Pinot Noir](https://avwines.com/blog/why-is-anderson-valley-so-good-for-growing-pinot-noir/) - [Anderson Valley Winegrowers: regional overview](https://avwines.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/FY24-AVWA-Year-in-Review-_-Next-Year-Budget_General-Meeting-Package-compressed.pdf) ## Clarksburg — appellation guide [Website guide](https://wine.sovsrc.ai/appellations/clarksburg) Clarksburg is an AVA with land in Sacramento, Solano and Yolo counties. **Landscape:** Delta breezes cool vineyards after warm days. Local vineyards include soils with clay and loam. **Wine:** Growers produce Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot, Petite Sirah and Sauvignon Blanc. **Places to visit:** Clarksburg is a wine destination in the Delta. Its grower association provides information about local farms. **Boundary note:** The smaller Merritt Island AVA lies within Clarksburg. Clarksburg is separate from the North Coast AVA. **Sources:** - [TTB: established AVAs](https://www.ttb.gov/regulated-commodities/beverage-alcohol/wine/established-avas) - [Clarksburg Winegrape Growers: grapes and growers](https://www.clarksburgwinecountry.com/about-us) - [Vinum Cellars: Clarksburg vineyard conditions](https://www.vinumcellars.com/about-us/our-vineyards/clarksburg) ## Mendocino — appellation guide [Website guide](https://wine.sovsrc.ai/appellations/mendocino) Mendocino is an AVA in Mendocino County. It lies within the North Coast AVA. **Landscape:** The area includes several valleys with different vineyard conditions. Anderson Valley has strong ocean influence. **Wine:** Anderson Valley growers produce Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Gewürztraminer within the larger Mendocino AVA. **Places to visit:** The wider county has redwood forests and wine destinations. The county visitor area extends beyond this AVA. **Boundary note:** Mendocino AVA and Mendocino County have different boundaries. Anderson Valley, Redwood Valley and Potter Valley lie within the AVA. **Sources:** - [TTB: established AVAs](https://www.ttb.gov/regulated-commodities/beverage-alcohol/wine/established-avas) - [Wine Institute: Mendocino County](https://discovercaliforniawines.com/discover-california/north-coast/mendocino-county/) - [Anderson Valley Winegrowers: climate and Pinot Noir](https://avwines.com/blog/why-is-anderson-valley-so-good-for-growing-pinot-noir/) - [Anderson Valley Winegrowers: regional overview](https://avwines.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/FY24-AVWA-Year-in-Review-_-Next-Year-Budget_General-Meeting-Package-compressed.pdf) ## Napa Valley — appellation guide [Website guide](https://wine.sovsrc.ai/appellations/napa-valley) Napa Valley is an AVA in Napa County. It lies within the North Coast AVA. **Landscape:** The valley has varied soils and local climates. Vineyards occupy both valley sites and surrounding slopes. **Wine:** Producers make Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and other wines. **Places to visit:** Napa, Yountville, St. Helena and Calistoga provide visitor destinations within the wider valley. **Boundary note:** Napa Valley contains or overlaps smaller AVAs. Crystal Springs of Napa Valley appears in the current TTB list. **Sources:** - [TTB: established AVAs](https://www.ttb.gov/regulated-commodities/beverage-alcohol/wine/established-avas) - [Napa Valley Vintners: the AVA](https://napavintners.com/napa_valley/) - [Visit Napa Valley: towns](https://www.visitnapavalley.com/things-to-do/towns-regions/) ## North Coast — appellation guide [Website guide](https://wine.sovsrc.ai/appellations/north-coast) North Coast is an AVA with land in Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties. **Landscape:** The AVA connects several different wine areas. Coastal sites and inland valleys have different conditions. **Wine:** Examples include Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir. The AVA name does not specify a grape variety. **Places to visit:** The wider region offers wine destinations in Napa Valley, Sonoma County and Mendocino County. **Boundary note:** An AVA boundary can include only part of a county. A county address alone does not establish that a vineyard is inside North Coast. **Sources:** - [TTB: established AVAs](https://www.ttb.gov/regulated-commodities/beverage-alcohol/wine/established-avas) - [Napa Valley Vintners: the AVA](https://napavintners.com/napa_valley/) - [Sonoma County Tourism: Sonoma Coast](https://www.sonomacounty.com/wine/wine-areas-avas/sonoma-coast-wine-region-and-appellation/) - [Wine Institute: Mendocino County](https://discovercaliforniawines.com/discover-california/north-coast/mendocino-county/) ## Paso Robles — appellation guide [Website guide](https://wine.sovsrc.ai/appellations/paso-robles) Paso Robles is an AVA in San Luis Obispo County. It lies within the Central Coast AVA. **Landscape:** The area has varied soils and large changes between day and night temperatures. Local conditions differ across the AVA. **Wine:** Local producers make Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Grenache and Zinfandel wines. **Places to visit:** Paso Robles provides a base for visits to wineries across its different districts. **Boundary note:** The larger Paso Robles AVA contains eleven smaller district AVAs. These districts provide more specific geographic names. **Sources:** - [TTB: established AVAs](https://www.ttb.gov/regulated-commodities/beverage-alcohol/wine/established-avas) - [Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance: geography and climate](https://pasowine.com/paso-robles/geography-climate/) - [Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance: winery guide](https://pasowine.com/wp-content/uploads/PasoRobles_PrintedGuide_Final_Print-low-res.pdf) ## Russian River Valley — appellation guide [Website guide](https://wine.sovsrc.ai/appellations/russian-river-valley) Russian River Valley is an AVA in Sonoma County. It lies within North Coast and Northern Sonoma. **Landscape:** Coastal fog reduces temperatures during the growing season. The AVA does not follow the full course of the Russian River. **Wine:** Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are important local grapes. **Places to visit:** Santa Rosa and the area near Sebastopol provide access to local winery visits. **Boundary note:** Russian River Valley overlaps Sonoma Coast. The two AVA names do not describe identical boundaries. **Sources:** - [TTB: established AVAs](https://www.ttb.gov/regulated-commodities/beverage-alcohol/wine/established-avas) - [Sonoma County Tourism: Russian River Valley](https://www.sonomacounty.com/wine/wine-areas-avas/ava-wines-sonoma-county-russian-river-valley/) ## Santa Barbara County — appellation guide [Website guide](https://wine.sovsrc.ai/appellations/santa-barbara-county) Santa Barbara County is a county appellation. It contains wine areas with different climates and official AVA names. **Landscape:** Several valleys run from east to west. This orientation allows ocean air to move inland. **Wine:** Cool coastal sites and warmer inland sites support different grape varieties. A county label alone does not specify the wine style. **Places to visit:** The Santa Ynez Valley includes Solvang, Los Olivos and other visitor towns. **Boundary note:** Santa Barbara County is not an AVA. Santa Ynez Valley and Sta. Rita Hills are AVAs within the county. **Sources:** - [TTB: appellations of origin](https://www.ttb.gov/regulated-commodities/beverage-alcohol/wine/appellations-of-origin) - [TTB: established AVAs](https://www.ttb.gov/regulated-commodities/beverage-alcohol/wine/established-avas) - [Santa Barbara Vintners: regional facts](https://sbcountywines.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Santa-Barbara-Wine-Country-Fact-Sheet.pdf) - [Visit Santa Ynez Valley: towns](https://www.visitsyv.com/towns/) ## Santa Ynez Valley — appellation guide [Website guide](https://wine.sovsrc.ai/appellations/santa-ynez-valley) Santa Ynez Valley is an AVA in Santa Barbara County. It lies within the Central Coast AVA. **Landscape:** Ocean air enters from the west. Conditions generally become warmer toward the eastern part of the valley. **Wine:** Different vineyard conditions support different grape varieties. The AVA name alone does not define one wine style. **Places to visit:** Solvang, Los Olivos and Santa Ynez are visitor towns in the wider valley. **Boundary note:** The AVA contains Ballard Canyon, Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara, Los Olivos District and Sta. Rita Hills. **Sources:** - [TTB: established AVAs](https://www.ttb.gov/regulated-commodities/beverage-alcohol/wine/established-avas) - [Santa Barbara Vintners: regional facts](https://sbcountywines.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Santa-Barbara-Wine-Country-Fact-Sheet.pdf) - [Visit Santa Ynez Valley: towns](https://www.visitsyv.com/towns/) ## Sonoma Coast — appellation guide [Website guide](https://wine.sovsrc.ai/appellations/sonoma-coast) Sonoma Coast is an AVA in Sonoma County. It lies within the North Coast AVA. **Landscape:** Pacific Ocean air influences the vineyards. Some ridge vineyards sit above fog that covers lower sites. **Wine:** Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are important grapes. Producers also grow Syrah. **Places to visit:** Coastal towns and inland winery locations provide different visitor routes. A winery tasting room can be outside its vineyard AVA. **Boundary note:** West Sonoma Coast is an established AVA within Sonoma Coast. Some older tourism text still describes it as proposed. **Sources:** - [TTB: established AVAs](https://www.ttb.gov/regulated-commodities/beverage-alcohol/wine/established-avas) - [Sonoma County Tourism: Sonoma Coast](https://www.sonomacounty.com/wine/wine-areas-avas/sonoma-coast-wine-region-and-appellation/) ## Sonoma County — appellation guide [Website guide](https://wine.sovsrc.ai/appellations/sonoma-county) Sonoma County is a county appellation. It includes several AVAs with different boundaries. **Landscape:** The county contains coastal hills and inland valleys. Vineyard conditions differ across these areas. **Wine:** Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast produce Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. A county label can describe wines from different local areas. **Places to visit:** Sonoma Valley, Santa Rosa and coastal towns provide different bases for a visit. **Boundary note:** Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley and Sonoma Coast are different names. The county appellation is not an AVA. **Sources:** - [TTB: appellations of origin](https://www.ttb.gov/regulated-commodities/beverage-alcohol/wine/appellations-of-origin) - [TTB: established AVAs](https://www.ttb.gov/regulated-commodities/beverage-alcohol/wine/established-avas) - [Sonoma County Tourism: Russian River Valley](https://www.sonomacounty.com/wine/wine-areas-avas/ava-wines-sonoma-county-russian-river-valley/) - [Sonoma County Tourism: Sonoma Coast](https://www.sonomacounty.com/wine/wine-areas-avas/sonoma-coast-wine-region-and-appellation/) - [Sonoma County Tourism: Sonoma Valley](https://www.sonomacounty.com/wine/guide-sonoma-valley/) ## Sonoma Valley — appellation guide [Website guide](https://wine.sovsrc.ai/appellations/sonoma-valley) Sonoma Valley is an AVA in Sonoma County. It lies within North Coast and partly overlaps Sonoma Coast. **Landscape:** The valley includes lowland sites and surrounding slopes. The Mayacamas Mountains form its eastern edge. **Wine:** The AVA contains several smaller wine areas. A more specific vineyard or AVA name gives additional geographic information. **Places to visit:** Sonoma, Glen Ellen and Kenwood provide visitor stops. The area includes gardens, historic sites and winery visits. **Boundary note:** Sonoma Mountain and Moon Mountain District Sonoma County lie within Sonoma Valley. Sonoma Valley does not cover all of Sonoma County. **Sources:** - [TTB: established AVAs](https://www.ttb.gov/regulated-commodities/beverage-alcohol/wine/established-avas) - [Sonoma County Tourism: Sonoma Valley](https://www.sonomacounty.com/wine/guide-sonoma-valley/) ## Central Coast — appellation guide [Website guide](https://wine.sovsrc.ai/appellations/central-coast) Central Coast is an AVA that extends through parts of ten California counties. It includes Monterey, Paso Robles and Santa Ynez Valley. **Landscape:** The AVA contains coastal and inland sites. Local vineyard conditions vary across this large area. **Wine:** Monterey produces Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Paso Robles producers also make Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Zinfandel. **Places to visit:** The wider coastal travel route includes the Salinas Valley and Santa Ynez Valley. **Boundary note:** The legal boundary specifically excludes Santa Cruz Mountains. A travel map and an AVA map serve different purposes. **Sources:** - [TTB: established AVAs](https://www.ttb.gov/regulated-commodities/beverage-alcohol/wine/established-avas) - [Federal boundary: Central Coast](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-27/section-9.75) - [Monterey County Vintners: AVA guide](https://montereywines.org/about/avas/) - [Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance: winery guide](https://pasowine.com/wp-content/uploads/PasoRobles_PrintedGuide_Final_Print-low-res.pdf) - [See Monterey: Salinas Valley](https://www.seemonterey.com/food-drink/wineries/salinas-valley-wineries/) - [Visit Santa Ynez Valley: towns](https://www.visitsyv.com/towns/) ## Los Carneros — appellation guide [Website guide](https://wine.sovsrc.ai/appellations/los-carneros) Los Carneros is an AVA in Napa and Sonoma counties. It lies within the North Coast AVA. **Landscape:** Breezes from San Pablo Bay cool the vineyards. The area has low, rolling hills. **Wine:** Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are important grapes. Producers also make sparkling wines. **Places to visit:** The area connects the southern parts of the Napa and Sonoma wine destinations. **Boundary note:** Los Carneros crosses a county boundary. It overlaps parts of Napa Valley, Sonoma Valley and Sonoma Coast. **Sources:** - [TTB: established AVAs](https://www.ttb.gov/regulated-commodities/beverage-alcohol/wine/established-avas) - [Wine Institute: Los Carneros](https://discovercaliforniawines.com/discover-california/north-coast/los-carneros/) ## Monterey — appellation guide [Website guide](https://wine.sovsrc.ai/appellations/monterey) Monterey is an AVA in Monterey County. It lies within the Central Coast AVA. **Landscape:** Ocean air and fog influence northern sites. Southern vineyard areas can have warmer conditions. **Wine:** Chardonnay is a major grape. Producers also grow Pinot Noir, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. **Places to visit:** The Salinas Valley has winery routes near River Road. Nearby towns provide other visitor facilities. **Boundary note:** Monterey AVA and Monterey County have different boundaries. Santa Lucia Highlands and Arroyo Seco lie within the AVA. **Sources:** - [TTB: established AVAs](https://www.ttb.gov/regulated-commodities/beverage-alcohol/wine/established-avas) - [Monterey County Vintners: AVA guide](https://montereywines.org/about/avas/) - [See Monterey: Salinas Valley](https://www.seemonterey.com/food-drink/wineries/salinas-valley-wineries/) ## Santa Cruz Mountains — appellation guide [Website guide](https://wine.sovsrc.ai/appellations/santa-cruz-mountains) Santa Cruz Mountains is an AVA in San Mateo, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties. **Landscape:** Vineyards occupy mountain sites among wooded slopes. Elevation and terrain help define the area. **Wine:** Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon are important local grapes. **Places to visit:** Winery locations extend across the mountains. Santa Cruz, Saratoga and nearby communities provide visitor access. **Boundary note:** The Central Coast and San Francisco Bay AVAs specifically exclude Santa Cruz Mountains. Our Central Coast travel grouping still includes it. **Sources:** - [TTB: established AVAs](https://www.ttb.gov/regulated-commodities/beverage-alcohol/wine/established-avas) - [Federal boundary: Central Coast](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-27/section-9.75) - [Wine Institute: Santa Cruz Mountains](https://discovercaliforniawines.com/discover-california/central-coast/santa-cruz-mountains/) ## Sta. Rita Hills — appellation guide [Website guide](https://wine.sovsrc.ai/appellations/sta-rita-hills) Sta. Rita Hills is an AVA in Santa Barbara County. It lies within Santa Ynez Valley and Central Coast. **Landscape:** Ocean air moves through the local valleys. The area has cooler conditions than eastern Santa Ynez Valley. **Wine:** The cool conditions distinguish this area from warmer inland sites. Individual wine labels identify the grape variety. **Places to visit:** The wider Santa Ynez Valley provides towns and winery visitor routes. **Boundary note:** The official name is Sta. Rita Hills. The federal boundary rule provides the precise geographic limits. **Sources:** - [TTB: established AVAs](https://www.ttb.gov/regulated-commodities/beverage-alcohol/wine/established-avas) - [Federal boundary: Sta. Rita Hills](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-27/section-9.162) - [Santa Barbara Vintners: regional facts](https://sbcountywines.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Santa-Barbara-Wine-Country-Fact-Sheet.pdf) - [Visit Santa Ynez Valley: towns](https://www.visitsyv.com/towns/) ## Lodi — appellation guide [Website guide](https://wine.sovsrc.ai/appellations/lodi) Lodi is an AVA in Sacramento and San Joaquin counties. It is separate from the coastal AVAs. **Landscape:** The area lies where the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys meet. Vineyards form part of the wider farm landscape. **Wine:** Lodi has a long history of Zinfandel production. Some local vineyards date from earlier periods of California wine production. **Places to visit:** Lodi provides a base for wine visits in the northern San Joaquin Valley. **Boundary note:** The Lodi AVA contains seven smaller AVAs. These include Mokelumne River, Clements Hills and Borden Ranch. **Sources:** - [TTB: established AVAs](https://www.ttb.gov/regulated-commodities/beverage-alcohol/wine/established-avas) - [Wine Institute: Lodi and the Delta](https://discovercaliforniawines.com/discover-california/inland-valleys/lodi-and-the-delta/) ## Madera — appellation guide [Website guide](https://wine.sovsrc.ai/appellations/madera) Madera is an AVA with land in Madera and Fresno counties. It forms part of our Inland Valleys travel guide. **Landscape:** The wider area has extensive farmland. Wine grapes grow alongside other crops. **Wine:** The local wine industry includes dessert wines and fortified wines. **Places to visit:** Madera County has a wine trail. The county visitor guide provides a starting point for local wine visits. **Boundary note:** Madera AVA and Madera County are different geographic units. Part of the AVA lies in Fresno County. **Sources:** - [TTB: established AVAs](https://www.ttb.gov/regulated-commodities/beverage-alcohol/wine/established-avas) - [Wine Institute: Madera County](https://discovercaliforniawines.com/discover-california/inland-valleys/madera-county/) ## Sierra Foothills — appellation guide [Website guide](https://wine.sovsrc.ai/appellations/sierra-foothills) Sierra Foothills is an AVA across parts of eight counties. It includes several smaller wine areas. **Landscape:** Vineyards occupy foothill and mountain terrain. Historic Gold Rush communities form part of the wider region. **Wine:** Amador producers make Zinfandel, Barbera and Syrah. El Dorado also has a history of Zinfandel production. **Places to visit:** Amador and El Dorado counties provide wine routes through historic communities. **Boundary note:** The AVA includes California Shenandoah Valley and Fair Play. It overlaps El Dorado rather than containing every part of that AVA. **Sources:** - [TTB: established AVAs](https://www.ttb.gov/regulated-commodities/beverage-alcohol/wine/established-avas) - [Wine Institute: Amador County](https://discovercaliforniawines.com/discover-california/sierra-foothills/amador-county/) - [Wine Institute: El Dorado County](https://discovercaliforniawines.com/discover-california/sierra-foothills/el-dorado-county/) ## El Dorado — appellation guide [Website guide](https://wine.sovsrc.ai/appellations/el-dorado) El Dorado is an AVA in El Dorado County. It partly overlaps the larger Sierra Foothills AVA. **Landscape:** The area has vineyards at high elevations. The wider county contains mountain terrain and historic Gold Rush sites. **Wine:** Zinfandel is an important local grape. Wine styles differ between producers and vineyard sites. **Places to visit:** The wider county provides agricultural destinations and historic visitor sites near its wine areas. **Boundary note:** Fair Play lies within El Dorado. El Dorado AVA and El Dorado County do not have the same boundary. **Sources:** - [TTB: established AVAs](https://www.ttb.gov/regulated-commodities/beverage-alcohol/wine/established-avas) - [Wine Institute: El Dorado County](https://discovercaliforniawines.com/discover-california/sierra-foothills/el-dorado-county/) ## South Coast — appellation guide [Website guide](https://wine.sovsrc.ai/appellations/south-coast) South Coast is an AVA with land in Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego counties. **Landscape:** The AVA includes several separate vineyard areas. Local conditions differ across this broad area. **Wine:** Temecula Valley producers make wines from Italian and Rhône grape varieties within the South Coast AVA. **Places to visit:** Temecula Valley is one destination within the larger AVA. Other areas have their own visitor routes. **Boundary note:** South Coast includes Temecula Valley, Ramona Valley, San Pasqual Valley and San Luis Rey. It is not identical to Southern California. **Sources:** - [TTB: established AVAs](https://www.ttb.gov/regulated-commodities/beverage-alcohol/wine/established-avas) - [Wine Institute: Temecula Valley](https://discovercaliforniawines.com/discover-california/southern-california/temecula-valley/) ## Temecula Valley — appellation guide [Website guide](https://wine.sovsrc.ai/appellations/temecula-valley) Temecula Valley is an AVA in Riverside County. It lies within the South Coast AVA. **Landscape:** The area has warm conditions with coastal fog. Local vineyard conditions support several grape varieties. **Wine:** Producers make wines from Italian and Rhône grape varieties. **Places to visit:** Temecula Valley has wineries with visitor facilities. Each winery provides its own information about visits. **Boundary note:** Temecula Valley is a specific AVA within South Coast. The name does not describe every wine area in Riverside County. **Sources:** - [TTB: established AVAs](https://www.ttb.gov/regulated-commodities/beverage-alcohol/wine/established-avas) - [Wine Institute: Temecula Valley](https://discovercaliforniawines.com/discover-california/southern-california/temecula-valley/) ## Trinity Lakes — appellation guide [Website guide](https://wine.sovsrc.ai/appellations/trinity-lakes) Trinity Lakes is an AVA in Trinity County. Our Far North California guide includes it as a wine destination. **Landscape:** The wider area has lakes, mountain terrain and forest. Trinity Lake and Lewiston Lake are nearby visitor destinations. **Wine:** The sources reviewed do not establish a dominant grape for this AVA. Individual producer information is necessary for a specific wine. **Places to visit:** Lewiston and the Trinity Lake area offer historic sites and lake activities. **Boundary note:** Trinity Lakes is an official AVA. The wider Far North California travel region has no single AVA boundary. **Sources:** - [TTB: established AVAs](https://www.ttb.gov/regulated-commodities/beverage-alcohol/wine/established-avas) - [Trinity County: visitor information](https://www.trinitycounty.org/350/Visitors) - [Visit Trinity: communities and lakes](https://visittrinity.com/about-trinity-county/trinity-communities/)