The Top 5 Wineries to Visit in California

We have been enjoying wine in the United States since the 1500s, and the United States is the fourth largest country that produces wine. We trail right behind Italy, Spain, and France. Everyone enjoys the smooth taste of nice red wine or the sweetness of white wine on a night out or after a long day of work. And really, what’s not to love?

California produces 84% of the United State’s wines and has 4,391 wineries in the state alone. All those wineries make California an ideal state to visit and enjoy a glass of pinot noir. Whether you enjoy a sweet Moscato or a smooth Cabernet, California has got options for you to explore with friends and family.

What is Wine?

Chances are, if your bottle of wine has “wine” on the label, it is made from fermented grapes. It is possible to ferment many different types of fruit, but fermented grapes are dedicated to wine bottles. Wine grapes are different from the grapes you get in the store. They are smaller, sweeter, and have many more seeds. The fermentation process turns the grapes into alcohol. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks to help prevent bacteria from being produced in the alcohol. During fermentation, the yeast turns the grapes’ sugars into ethanol and carbon dioxide as a by-product. Creating the right temperature and time is essential when fermenting grapes into the delicious wine we all enjoy. Other ways to ferment wine can be in an open wooden vat, a wine barrel, or even a wine bottle, where most sparkling wines are produced for consumption.

No matter how the wine is produced, wine tasting is a favorite activity among many in the United States and worldwide. This delicious alcoholic beverage has come full circle from ages ago and has transformed into something that you can buy right from the shelf. 

History of Wine

Before we get into the top five wineries to visit in California, we want to shed some light on the history of wine. Historians have thought that wine started in Armenia, where they found a wine press and fermentation vessels as proof that people were enjoying the lovely beverage. Then, around 1200 B.C., wine traveled to the Mediterranean, where the local people enjoyed this delicious delicacy. Next, we travel to Greece, where Dionysus was named the Greek god of wine. Imagine loving wine so much that your society names a god after it? Pretty fitting. And, in Rome, people would have a piece of toast with their wine due to the acidity. The Romans followed right behind the Grecians by incorporating wine into their society. When Christianity took over, it was a part of their sacrament. The Romans planted vineyards in Germany, Italy, and France.

Wine also dates back to 7000 B.C. in China. Wine was considered the oldest alcoholic beverage consumed and was made of fermented grapes, rice, and honey. Portuguese Jesuits brought wine to Japan in the 1500s, but the first winery was not implemented until 300 years later.

The Europeans decided to bring wine to the New World. And, South African settlers decided to bring wine to Africa after high demand from the Europeans traveling back and forth to their country. Finally, wine was brought to California, specifically San Diego, by a Spanish missionary. In 1805, the first winery in Sonoma, California, opened.

So, it is easy to say that California started the popularity of wine drinking across our nation today and continues to be the most prominent place wine is produced in the country. So,  what are the top five wineries to visit in California? 

We have got you covered.

1) Raymond Vineyard

The Raymond Vineyards are located in Napa Valley in California. The Raymond family made California their home in 1933 and became interested in the wine culture almost instantly. This winery has been around since 1970 and produced its first wine in 1974. When the Raymond family first bought their property, it was ninety acres and now spans over three hundred acres. Their winery is certified organic and Biodynamic, and massive productions of their winery come from just solar energy. In 1989 Kirin Brewery purchased the majority of the Raymond Vineyard. In 2009, the winery was sold to the Boisset Family from Burgundy, France.  Now, they want people to have a diverse experience to discover new and delicious wines.

Visitors get to experience the crystal cellars at the Raymond Vineyards with glittery chandeliers and jewelry for sale. The crystal cellar primarily produces Cabernet Sauvignon wines. The vineyard also features a red room, which is a salon and a private club. You can find red velvet drapes and red couches in this section of the vineyard. You can enjoy this room by appointment and drink Cabernet Sauvignon and sparkling wines. 

The Raymond Vineyard offers a selection of nine different wines, but their specialty is Cabernet Sauvignon.  

2) Beringer Vineyard

The Beringer Vineyard dates back more than 142 years and is the oldest continuously producing vineyard in the Napa Valley. The Beringer Vineyard was also the first vineyard to offer tours to the public. The Beringer Vineyard is on the list of the National Registry of Historic Places. So, if you are a history buff and love wine, this is a two-for-one. The historic Rhine House has original Belgian art, hand-carved woodwork, and stained glass distributed across the building.

If you decide to take a trip to the Beringer Vineyard, you can enjoy a wide selection of red and white wines, which are highly rated by many wine experts. Your tour can also include a walk through the Legacy Cave, where you can explore the Old Winery. There is also an option for the Taste of Beringer tour where you can enjoy a sit-down tasting at the mansion’s ornate tasting bar. There are also private tastings available in the Rhine House.

3) Presqu’ile Winery

The Presqu’ile winery is situated on top of a hill with an iconic view of the ocean and other vineyards. This 73-acre winery is located in the Santa Maria Valley. The Presqu’ile winery is family-owned and dedicated to making the best cool-climate wines in California. Their wines include Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Gamay, Nebbiolo, and Aligote. And, if you like to pair your wine with food, this is the vineyard to visit. Presqu’ile Winery offers wine tasting paired with food for you to enjoy on a hilltop with a relaxing view of the ocean. The wine tasting consists of six wines with picnic food. They offer wine tastings Wednesday through Sunday. You can even buy bottles of wine on their website. 

4) Robert Mondavi Vineyard

Robert Mondavi established the Robert Mondavi Vineyard in 1966. The property that he established his vineyard on is the To Kalon Vineyard in the heart of Napa Valley. Robert Mondavi’s Vineyard’s chief winemaker, Genevieve Janssens, has been named Wine Enthusiasts Winemaker of the Year. The vineyard makes exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, and their signature wine Fume Blanc. 

If you decide to venture to the Robert Mondavi Vineyard, you can tour the To Kalon Vineyard. You can also enjoy a vineyard to table lunch where you can enjoy cuisine from their executive chef paired with three award-winning wines. The table to lunch option includes a tour of the iconic barrel cellar. Eat, drink, and experience the lovely vineyard with friends and family. 

5) Silver Oak Cellars

Two men named Ray Twomey and Justin Meyer decided to start the Silver Oak Cellars in 1972 in Napa Valley. The vineyard started by producing one thousand cases of wine. Their Cabernets grew in popularity as the years went on, and Justin decided to retire in 1994 and handed over the business to Daniel Baron. Ray’s sons, David and Tim, operate and own the winery now. 

A fire destroyed their vineyard in 2006, and they had to rebuild—the result ending in better wine and a more eco-friendly footprint. Ten years later, the vineyard was awarded the world’s first LEED Platinum Winery by the U.S. Green Building Council. The team had a goal of net-zero water and energy. 

This winery spans 400 acres and has the softest possible impact on natural resources and the environment. In 2014, Nate Weis started overseeing the grape growing and wine-making operations. 

This winery has seven vineyards that are shaped by the Maycamas mountains. If you venture to this winery, you can expect to enjoy delicious Cabernets.

California is great for many things, including the beach and green living. But, one of the best things you can do when visiting California is to visit a vineyard and experience the smooth tastes of wine while exploring historic lands. You get to appreciate the hard work it takes to produce the glasses of wine you get to partake in and learn some history along the way.