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It might not surprise you, but 90% of the wine produced in the USA comes from California, which itself is the fourth largest producer of wine in the world.
The Wine Country regions are easily accessible from San Francisco. It's an easy drive from which to base yourself for a few days. Wine tasting in California is less formal than many parts of the world and one of the reasons why wine tasting novices like to visit this region. It's a laid back, friendly, "hey, come in and try some wine with us" approach to the whole experience. Add to this the fact that the area as a whole is stunningly beautiful and includes some of the best restaurants in the whole of the state.
Napa Valley is California's most famous wine region. Known for its famous prized Cabernet Sauvignon, it’s home to nearly five-hundred wineries and tasting rooms, many of them family owned through the generations. Discover hillside chateau wineries, endless expanses of perfectly ordered grape vines and some of the most luxurious boutique hotels in California. Most wine adventures start and end in the pretty city of Napa with myriad tasting rooms, live music and plenty of fine-dining options. Be sure to also visit or stay in the picturesque wine towns of St Helena and Yountville, or head for the famous hot springs in Calistoga. This slice of California is easy to explore by car, pedal power or hiking.
Sonoma County, located 30 miles north of San Francisco, provides a genuine wine country experience. It embodies the genuine, natural and authentic life that typifies Wine Country. With nearly four-hundred wineries and miles of rugged Pacific Ocean coastline, this is some of the most fertile earth in California.
Sonoma County is made up of fifteen distinct wine-growing areas allowing vintners to produce a stunning array of wines. Wine tasting is a friendly experience and often the person pouring the wine is the actual winemaker. Sonoma is also a food lover's paradise. Restaurants ranging from Michelin and Zagat rated to casual eateries offer everything from elegant fine dining to riverfront pub. Wine country chefs use local produce, cheeses, olive oils, meats, fish, wines, and beers in creating their menus.
Sonoma County has more than fifty miles of Pacific coast creating its western border. It's a stunning drive with plenty of opportunity to explore the state and regional parks that dot the coastline perfect for a beach day, hike or romantic picnic.
Where you stay is the heart of your holiday. Location reigns supreme but do you prefer resort facilities or unique and boutique? Historic and old world or modern and shiny?
We aim to present choices across the spectrum but there are many hundreds of places to stay and not room to feature them all. Do speak to your Bon Voyage travel consultant and click the video for our take on this important topic.
We would rate the Bellagio as one of the best hotels we have ever stayed in. Fabulous, glitzy, exciting. We loved having breakfast at the poolside café... one of our best experiences ever. If it hadn't been for you we wouldn't have had the suite or cabana and we loved them. We both agreed that the hotel was the best for us and you had suggested that so well done!
Leonore & Mike Rumford
