Where to go in California Wine Country in 2023
January is the time to plan your 2023 vacation to California wine country. So where should you go in wine country this year? We cover 14 different wine regions, and we are here to help with that decision. Here are things to consider when choosing your wine country region.
What’s your budget?
You must figure transportation costs, restaurants, lodging, and wine tasting in your budget. Those are the main expenses, but also calculate expenses for buying some wine and shopping in the boutique stores.
The most expensive wine country is Napa Valley. Sonoma County, which includes the cities of Healdsburg and Sonoma, is next on the expensive scale. The Sierra Foothills, Livermore, and Lodi wine regions are at the low end of the scale.
Try a new wine region
Many wine lovers keep returning to the same wine region yearly. You are missing out on so many other wine experiences. In California, we have many fantastic wine regions. Why not try a different region this year? Don’t get in a rut and make Napa Valley your only wine adventure.
What wines do you like – Cab, Rhone, Chardonnay?
All the wine regions of California produce several varieties of wine. Yet, within those wine varieties, the climate and soil yield one or two types of grapes that yield outstanding wines.
In the Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay are the most popular wines. If you are a Zinfandel lover, visit Sonoma’s Dry Creek Valley, Paso Robles, or Lodi. If you like Pinot Noir, the Anderson Valley, Santa Cruz Mountains, and Russian River Valley in Sonoma County are excellent choices. Rhone-style wines are found in Paso Robles and Livermore.
Do you like excellent cuisine and upscale lodging?
In Napa Valley, Yountville is tops. In Sonoma County, the towns of Healdsburg and Sonoma have it all. In Paso Robles, you’ll find many choices.
Do you like quaint and laidback?
Head to these small wine country towns: Geyserville and Glen Ellen in Sonoma, Boonville and Hopland in Anderson Valley. Sutter Creek in the Sierra Foothills.
Do you like other activities besides wine tasting?
Dig deeper
- The Good and the Bad in each California wine region
- When to visit California wine country – the best time is?
- Which is better, a big winery or little winery
- Six things to know when wine tasting