California wine region
Parts of California are renowned for the fog that rolls in from the sea.
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:
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Pahlmeyer's star winemaker Katie Vogt on Napa, travel and great wine for rotisserie chickenA rising star in Napa Valley...
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'My 12 Best Napa Chardonnays of All Time' – our expert picks a dozen greatsTwelve wines to rival the best around...
By Jonathan Cristaldi Published
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Why Paso Robles offers the best value in CaliforniaA region full of personality and fair prices...
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Why California's Mediterranean varieties are about to have their moment in the sunThere's much more to California than Cabernet and Chardonnay...
By Ana Carolina Quintela Published
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Decanter Masterclass report: Meet a legend, Bo Barrett, Chateau MontelenaIn the company of Napa greatness...
By Amy Wislocki Published
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The Santa Lucia Highlands: Wild winds and Pinot Noir heritagePinot from the windy coast...
By Clive Pursehouse Published
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Bo Barrett: The man at Chateau MontelenaThe man, the myth, the legend...
By Jonathan Cristaldi Published
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Discover Pacific Coast precision in the Santa Cruz MountainsClassic 'old world' charm in high California...
By Clive Pursehouse Published
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Which is the best American cool-climate Pinot Noir – Oregon or the Sonoma Coast?Classy, cool Pinot...
By Clive Pursehouse Published
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Rethinking ripeness in Napa Valley: A fresh perspective on the region’s evolutionWhen is it ripe...
By Jonathan Cristaldi Last updated
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Paso Robles 2023: Vintage report and top wines tastedA cool customer...
By Brianne Cohen Published
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Exclusive Andy Beckstoffer interview: Looking to Lake CountyAndy Beckstoffer looks to Lake County for California Cabernet's future...
By Stacy Slinkard Last updated
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Heitz Cellar: Six decades of a Napa Valley iconPerpetual motion and lasting excellence...
By Clive Pursehouse Published
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Younger generations: Emidio Pepe and OccidentalFresh faces in Abruzzo and Sonoma...
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50 years of Calera: Josh Jensen and the backbone of California Pinot NoirClassically California...
By Ana Carolina Quintela Last updated
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Wines of the Year 2025: North AmericaUSA highlights of 2025...
By Clive Pursehouse Published
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Decanter’s 100-point wines of 2025Only the very best need apply...
By Rupert Millar Published
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‘We tasted 4,000 American wines this year. These are Decanter’s Top 50 US Wines of 2025’The best of the best...
By Clive Pursehouse Last updated
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California winemakers share their top wine gifting picksIt's Christmas in California...
By Ana Carolina Quintela Last updated
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Meet the next generation at four legacy Napa Valley wineriesNext up in Napa Valley...
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Mining for value in the Napa Valley: Over 20 of the best wines for under $75The people all considered these, the values of the valley...
By Jonathan Cristaldi Last updated
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‘I tasted over 300 wines in August, these were my top 10 bottles’Summer's kiss is over baby...
By Clive Pursehouse Last updated
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How Tablas Creek went on a quest to bottle Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s hidden grapesA taste of the Rhône from Paso...
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Favia: producer profile and five wines tastedWines where nature, land, plant and person cohere...
By Clare Tooley MW Last updated
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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...
By Lisa Riley Last updated
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Are California’s best sparkling wines from the Central Coast?Toasting life with a ‘coastal accent’...
By Vanessa Rason Published
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Sonoma County: The 2022 vintage reportThe 2022 vintage in Sonoma County...
By Ana Carolina Quintela Last updated
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Ted Lemon and his 30 year winemaking journey at LittoraiBuilding something to last...
By Ana Carolina Quintela Last updated
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California’s 2025 harvest begins amid cooler summer and cautious optimism from growersThe new vintage starts in California...
By Ana Carolina Quintela Last updated
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Napa Cabernet 2022: Vintage report and buyer’s guideHighlights from the new Napa vintage...
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How Thacher Winery & Vineyard uncovered a lighter side to Paso RoblesA lighter approach to Paso...
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Napa Cabernet 2022: Top wines from Howell MountainThe top 2022s from Howell Mountain...
By Jonathan Cristaldi Last updated