The Wine Bottle

There is no doubt that Sonoma and Napa wines are lauded universally and have put American wines on the map. Both of these regions have unique climate and geographic strengths that make them excellent for wine.

Napa is fairly small compared to Sonoma. It only runs 34 miles north and west. Its vineyards run almost completely north to south down the backbone of the valley. In spite of its small size, Napa devotes just over 400 acres to the vine. Sonoma is almost twice the area of Napa and has well over four hundred acres planted with vineyards.

Sonoma’s strength can be found in her sub regions (known as AVAs) that exhibit a shocking selection of microclimates. The existence of these microclimates permits producers to grow and make high quality Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, as well as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Zinfandel. There exist warm and dry sub regions, like Dry Creek Valley and Knights Valley (actually simply a climate and geographic extension of Napa Valley), and cool and damp climates, like Russian River Valley and its sub region Chalk Hill.

Ocean breezes and mist help chill the latter two areas, permitting Sonoma wine makers to produce great examples of the fussy Pinot Noir. Knights Valley, because of its soil, which is both rocky and gravelly, and warm climate, is ideal for raising quality Cabernet. Sonoma County’s Green Valley and Los Carneros (a sub region shared with its rival Napa) are perfect for producing quality fruit for sparkling wines. Sonoma Valley, while excellent for Cabernet, is also well-suited to Zinfandel because of her dry and warm conditions and her capability to ward off mist that would create a mould and rot problem for Zinfandel.

Napa’s climatic and geographic strength is her climatic progression, of cool and damp conditions in the south to dry and warm conditions in the north, and a plethora of soil types, from gravel and low fertility in the north to clay and silt in the south. While she does not have Sonoma’s diversity in microclimates, Napa does have a decent range of soils and elevation that positively affects the fruit she manufactures.

Like in Sonoma, Los Carneros enables sparkling wine production in Napa. While Howell Mountain, Oakville, and Rutherford all produce most of the area’s prize winning and high-class Cabernets. Napa Cabernet, after all, is what made this Californian region so famous.

Nic Haegeli still considers himself rather new to the wine business, but he now has one or two years of expertise as a wine manager at Colonial Spirits, a Concord liquor store. With a BA in History and a Master of Public Policy in International Relations, Nic never envisioned himself working with wine. However, he did grow up in Alsace, France… Thus it makes sense when you know where he comes from.

Colonial Spirits’ latest venture is Colonial Spirits Delivers, an online liquor store, which supplies beer, champagne, liquor, and wine delivery to Eastern Mass.

The families who grow California wine are pioneers and visionaries.  The warm summer and rainy winter and spring in the coastal areas produce superior tasting wines. The winemakers in the various California wine regions have an appreciation for the territory in which they live and work that makes it possible to create palate pleasing world class wines.

The original Spanish pioneers had a large effect on the California wine growers. As the California missions were being setup in the 18th century, the Spaniards would create a vineyard. Grapes were needed by the Catholic monks for reigious ceremony as well as basic provision. The vineyard would be sown with the common black grape that was transplanted from Mexico. This grape species, often referred to as the “Mission Grape,” was the chief varietal of the early mission vineyards.

The largest expansion in populace and wineries in the California areas of Sonaoma and Nappa Valleys was during the years of the gold rush. During this time well known wine companies such as Buena Vista Winery, Charles Krug Winery, Inglenook Winery and Schramsberg Vineyard were founded.

California Wine Regions

There are distinct California wine zones. They are separated in to 4 separate locations.  First, there is the North Coast region that refers to an area north of San Francisco that includes the Sonoma and Napa Valleys as well as Mendocino and Lake County. Second is the Central Coast of California that are areas west of San Francisco all the way to Santa Barbara County that includes well known places such as the Paso Robles, Santa Maria Valley, Santa Ynez Valley and more. Reaching all the way to the Mexican border from Los Angeles is the third section referred to as the South Coast vineyards that also include the Antelope and Temecula Valleys. The fourth region is the Central Valley which includes, of course, the central valley and the Sierra foothills and Lodi.

Types of Grapes and Wines

The California Wine country grows hundreds of variety of grapes. There are French, Italian and Spanish grapes as well as hybrid grapes and new varieties being developed all the time.

The most familiar grape varieties are the Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot noir, Sauvignon blanc, Syrah and the Zinfandel. They also grow red wine grapes that you may be familiar with such as the Barbera, Grenache, Malbec, Petite Sirah and Sangiovese. They are also known for the white wine grapes of Chenin blanc, Gewurztraminer, Pinot gris,etc.

The New World Style California Wine

California wine is often referred to as “New World” wine.  California wine is produced with a riper grape which gives it a rich, fruity flavor and higher alcohol content. California wine making more often uses aged oak to produce full bodied wines.

Winning California Wines

More attention and rave reviews have been coming from the international arena as California wine producers craft higher quality wines each year. The rest of the world is quickly discovering the treasures of the California wine industry through the wine of the month club.  Another wine club worth mentioning is the California wine club which offers offers premium California wines at great pricing.

California wine is an example of the farmers and artisans who craft their wine.  The unique taste of these wines is due to the consistent weather conditions and fertile ground in which their grapes are grown. California wine areas believe in achieving the highest quality, best flavored wines through good stewardship of the land and using sustainable practices in winegrape growing.

The Spanish influence on most California wine is quite obvious. The Spaniards first planted vineyards in the 18th century as each mission was established. The grapes were grown for use in religious sacraments as well as for daily life. Early vine cuttings came from Mexico from the common black grape. This grape species, often referred to as the “Mission Grape,” was the chief varietal of the early mission vineyards.

The gold rush period in California saw the biggest growth in residents as well as wineries in the Sonoma and Napa Valleys. Celebrated vineyards such as Buena Vista, Charles Krug Winery, Inglenook and Schramsberg were established at that time.

California Wine Regions

There are distinct California wine zones. They are separated in to 4 separate locations.  First, there is the North Coast region that refers to an area north of San Francisco that includes the Sonoma and Napa Valleys as well as Mendocino and Lake County. Second is the Central Coast of California that are areas west of San Francisco all the way to Santa Barbara County that includes well known places such as the Paso Robles, Santa Maria Valley, Santa Ynez Valley and more. Third on the list is the South Coast region which denotes the area south of Los Angeles all the way to Mexico which includes the Temecula Valley, Antelope Valley, San Pasqual, Ramona Valley, etc. The fourth region is the Central Valley which includes, of course, the central valley and the Sierra foothills and Lodi.

Varieties of Grapes and Wines

There are a number of types of grapes cultivated in the California wine regions. For instance, there are the French, Italian, Spanish grapes and new hybrids springin up each year.

You have probably heard of most of the popular grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Syrah and Zinfandel. They also grow red wine grapes that you may be familiar with such as the Barbera, Grenache, Malbec, Petite Sirah and Sangiovese. They are also known for the white wine grapes of Chenin blanc, Gewurztraminer, Pinot gris,etc.

New World Style Wines

California wine is commonly called “New World” wine.  The temperate and warmer climate in California ripens the grape earlier making for a frutier flavored wine with 13.5% alcohol levels. The oak aged California wine making process produces a wonderful full body taste.

Rave Reviews for California Wine

The locally treasured California wine has emerged as an international treasure as well. California wineries compete in wine events all over the world and consistently earn high marks making California one of the sources for premier international wine of the month club.