Winemaking has a long history in California, and with over 4,000 wineries to choose from, it's no surprise why this state has a reputation for diverse and quality wines. The truth is, it's really hard to go wrong with a bottle of red or white wine here, but knowing what to ask for — and which region to ask for it can certainly elevate your experience.
While Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon are well-known varietals in California, there are plenty of other award-winning California wines to get to know. From Pinot Noir to Chardonnay, to Zinfandel and beyond, California produces just about everything. What makes these wines so popular is their consistency. Sure, each vintage delivers slightly different notes than the year prior, but when a California wine is bottled, nine times out of ten, it’s going to meet expectations time and time again.
If you're planning to stock up on vino soon, we’ve curated a list of some of the most popular California wines you should try.
Key winemaking regions
We simply can't cover the best wine in California without first discussing its four diverse wine-producing regions: North Coast, Central Coast, Central Valley, and South Coast.
In the North Coast, Napa Valley and Sonoma County reign, attracting people from all over the world seeking a taste of the Golden State’s premium Cabernet Sauvignons, Chardonnays, Pinot Noirs, and more. Both regions are able to produce such a range of varietals thanks to their sub-appellations’ diverse terroirs.
Napa Valley is home to 15 American Viticultural Regions (AVAs or appellations) — all offering their own distinctive characteristics. If you’re a wine drinker, chances are you’ve probably heard of or even enjoyed a bottle from Napa’s well-known regions like Stags Leap District, St. Helena, Calistoga, Yountville, and Los Carneros.
Meanwhile, Sonoma County has 18 AVAs, but the most-visited regions are Alexander Valley, Carneros, Chalk Hill, Dry Creek, Sonoma Valley, and Russian River Valley. If you are planning a wine tour here, just make sure to do your research, as each region produces different varietals.
The Central Coast may consist of lesser-known wine regions, but you’ll still find plenty of high-quality wines here, making it a go-to destination for those seeking a more laid-back ambiance than Napa and Sonoma. If you ever decide to travel here, you’ll quickly discover that Lodi, Livermore Valley, Monterey County, Paso Robles, and Santa Barbara are the most-visited American Viticultural Areas in this region.
In the Northern Central Coast, Livermore County continues to impress with its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. In the Southern Central Coast, Paso Robles has gained quite the reputation for its red wines, specifically Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, and Rhône-style wines. However, you certainly can’t forget about Santa Ynez Valley and Santa Maria Valley, both in Santa Barbara County. No matter which part of the Central Coast you wish to explore, one thing remains the same — Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are the most important grapes planted here.
While the Central Valley isn’t talked about as much among tourists, it too has a lot to offer. Like its name hints, this region is made up of two valleys: Sacramento Valley in the north and the San Joaquin Valley in the south. Not only is the Central Valley the largest grape-growing region in California, it’s also a huge supplier to wineries throughout the entire state. Home to Bakersfield, Fresno, Stockton, Modesto, and more, it’s not unusual to find Port-style wines here. However, Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Merlot, Moscato, and Pinot Grigio are also planted in this region.
Last but not least, you have the South Coast, which covers a vast amount of land — we’re talking Los Angeles to Mexico. Temecula Valley is the superstar in this region, and because of its warm climate, you will see almost every familiar variety here, including award-winning Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Grenache, and Merlot.
What are the best wines in California?
One of the most common questions you’ll hear or see when it comes to finding a good California wine is, “What are the top 10 best wines?” By now, you’ve probably noticed that you can find tons of different varietals throughout the entire state of California. However, while every region has its distinct grapes, Chardonnay is still the largest single variety produced in California, closely followed by Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, and Merlot.
What’s most important to know about wine in general, is that while every season is wine season, many wines pair better with specific celebrations, seasons, food, and even weather. For instance, Rosé is sipped mostly throughout the summer because of its crisp, light nature, while sparkling wine and Champagne are year-round celebratory sips.
With that being said, let’s take a deep dive into the top wines in California.
Chardonnay
Thousands of years ago, a few grapevines were taken from the banks of the Rhône River in southern France and planted in Burgundy. The grapevines thrived in their new home and began to spread throughout the region. Eventually, they made their way up to the village of Chardonnay, which is where this variety of grape gets its name. The grape was later brought to California by a French missionary. Today, the majority of wine labeled "Chardonnay" comes from California.
The Chardonnay grape is the world’s most popular white varietal and can be produced in several different styles ranging from light and crisp to oaky and buttery. Because it can take on so many flavors, Chardonnay is considered the chameleon of wines.
This wine pairs well with seafood, poultry, and Brie-style cheese, as well as creamy pasta and seafood.
Top California Chardonnays
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon is the most widely planted grape in the world, and it's also one of the most widely grown grapes in the United States. The grape originated in Bordeaux, France, and has been French winemakers’ favorite for centuries. The first Cabernet Sauvignon vines were brought to California by Agoston Haraszthy in 1857, where they were used to make fortified wines. Cabernet Sauvignon has been a California staple ever since. However, it wasn’t until the 1960s that California winemakers began to experiment with Cabernet Sauvignon as a varietal wine.
Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are a cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc, and it’s no secret that you’ll find some of the most outstanding California Cabernets in Napa Valley and Sonoma. However, neither of these regions were widely known for Cabernet until 1976 when an English wine merchant held a blind-tasting in Paris, judged by France’s most celebrated wine critics.
Today, California Cabernets are fruit-forward and balanced, making them the perfect pairing for hearty dishes with bold, spicy flavors and rich red meats.
Must try Cabs from Napa & Sonoma
Pinot Noir
Originally from Burgundy, France, Pinot Noir can be a hard grape to grow. However, through careful cultivation, California still continues to produce a lot of excellent Pinots. The grape’s thin skin makes it susceptible to damage by UV rays, which is why the best Pinot Noir grapes are grown in cooler climates.
Pinot Noir grapes are known for their versatility and used to make everything from light-bodied reds to rich, full-bodied reds. Pair a good Pinot with chicken, duck, pork, or mushrooms and you’re guaranteed to be impressed.
Zinfandel
Zinfandel was first planted in the United States in 1879 by Croatian immigrants. The friars planted the vineyard with cut vines they brought from Dalmatia. The grape was also cultivated by Italian immigrants in the Central Coast region of California, who called it Primitivo. In the early 1900s, Italian immigrants imported more of the grape from Dalmatia and planted it throughout California.
In addition to being used for table wines, Zinfandel was also used for producing brandy and port-like dessert wines. Today, Zinfandel is mostly made as a 100% varietal but is known for producing anything from semi-sweet blush or white Zinfandel, to Rosé to sweet and sparkling wines. Zinfandel is best enjoyed when paired with meat like lamb, BBQ pork, or anything hearty.
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc was first cultivated in France in the 17th century, but it didn't take off until the late 20th century when winemakers began to appreciate its distinctive flavor. The first cuttings were brought to California in the 1880s, but shockingly enough, it’s only the 4th most planted white grape in the state.
California Sauvignon Blancs are usually light, fruity, and high in acidity, which helps them pair really well with green vegetables, citrus-y sauces, and any food seasoned with herbs.
Merlot
Merlot grapes are originally from Bordeaux, France, but made their way to California in the mid 19th century. When it first arrived, there was a huge planting boom of Merlot grape vines throughout the U.S. due to the increasing demand. In fact, up until the late 1980s, Merlot was the fourth most planted grape in the country.
While it’s said that Merlot is a wine of the past, many often forget that these grapes are an integral part of red blends and some of the greatest wines in the world. Plus, Merlot still holds a very special place in California’s heart, and even commands respect throughout the state. Typically made in a dry style, Merlot makes for easy drinking when paired with burgers, pizza, mushrooms, and blue cheese.
Are you still wondering what is the most popular California wine? If we have to answer that question, it’s always going to be Chardonnay — after all, Chardonnay is even one of the essential grapes for sparkling wine and Champagne. But ultimately, the simplest answer to this million-dollar question is it all depends on who you ask. To learn more about California wines, check out our California Wine Guide.