According to the California Wine Institute, the California wine region is responsible for producing 81% of all US wine, and is the fourth-largest wine-producing region after France, Italy and Spain.
Napa Valley wine region | Sonoma wine region
There are 242,000 hectares of vineyard spread across 139 AVAs (American Viticultural Areas).
The North Coast is home to famed AVAs such as Napa County and Sonoma County, although wineries can be found from north to south, and further inland too.
Quick links California wine reviews | California producer profiles
Chardonnay is California’s most widely planted variety, with approximately 37,800ha planted. Cabernet Sauvignon is not far behind, with approximately 36,700ha planted.
Read more about California wine:
-
Decanter Masterclass report: Meet a legend, Bo Barrett, Chateau Montelena
In the company of Napa greatness...
-
The Santa Lucia Highlands: Wild winds and Pinot Noir heritage
Pinot from the windy coast...
-
Bo Barrett: The man at Chateau Montelena
The man, the myth, the legend...
-
Discover Pacific Coast precision in the Santa Cruz Mountains
Classic 'old world' charm in high California...
-
Which is the best American cool-climate Pinot Noir – Oregon or the Sonoma Coast?
Classy, cool Pinot...
-
Rethinking ripeness in Napa Valley: A fresh perspective on the region’s evolution
When is it ripe...
-
Paso Robles 2023: Vintage report and top wines tasted
A cool customer...
-
Exclusive Andy Beckstoffer interview: Looking to Lake County
Andy Beckstoffer looks to Lake County for California Cabernet's future...
-
Heitz Cellar: Six decades of a Napa Valley icon
Perpetual motion and lasting excellence...
-
Younger generations: Emidio Pepe and Occidental
Fresh faces in Abruzzo and Sonoma...
-
50 years of Calera: Josh Jensen and the backbone of California Pinot Noir
Classically California...
-
Wines of the Year 2025: North America
USA highlights of 2025...
-
Decanter’s 100-point wines of 2025
Only the very best need apply...
-
‘We tasted 4,000 American wines this year. These are Decanter’s Top 50 US Wines of 2025’
The best of the best...
-
California winemakers share their top wine gifting picks
It's Christmas in California...
-
Meet the next generation at four legacy Napa Valley wineries
Next up in Napa Valley...
-
Mining for value in the Napa Valley: Over 20 of the best wines for under $75
The people all considered these, the values of the valley...
-
‘I tasted over 300 wines in August, these were my top 10 bottles’
Summer's kiss is over baby...
-
How Tablas Creek went on a quest to bottle Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s hidden grapes
A taste of the Rhône from Paso...
-
Favia: producer profile and five wines tasted
Wines where nature, land, plant and person cohere...
-
Californian Pinot Noir pioneer Josh Jensen passes away
Jensen was famed for producing elegant, silky Pinot Noirs at Calera Wine Company on the Central Coast...
-
Are California’s best sparkling wines from the Central Coast?
Toasting life with a ‘coastal accent’...
-
Sonoma County: The 2022 vintage report
The 2022 vintage in Sonoma County...
-
Ted Lemon and his 30 year winemaking journey at Littorai
Building something to last...
-
California’s 2025 harvest begins amid cooler summer and cautious optimism from growers
The new vintage starts in California...
-
Napa Cabernet 2022: Vintage report and buyer’s guide
Highlights from the new Napa vintage...
-
How Thacher Winery & Vineyard uncovered a lighter side to Paso Robles
A lighter approach to Paso...
-
Napa Cabernet 2022: Top wines from Howell Mountain
The top 2022s from Howell Mountain...
-
Napa Cabernet 2022: Top wines from Oak Knoll
Top Oak Knoll Cabernets in 2022...
-
Napa Cabernet 2022: The top wines from Calistoga
Calistoga's top 2022 Cabernets...
-
Napa Cabernet 2022: Best value wines of the vintage
Seeking value in the vintage...
-
What is Fumé Blanc?
What is Fumé Blanc and how does it differ from Sauvignon Blanc...
