Plan of Attack

OK, I know that most people think that Northern California, Napa/Sonoma in particular is the only real wine region in California. Not true!

There are major wine regions from top to bottom of California. For instance, heading south from Napa/Sonoma is Monterey, Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Temecula. And, let's not leave out the scattering of wineries outside of these major wine regions that are too many to count.

I live in Orange County and have just been offered a new job so my plan is to work Southern California first. That would include; Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, and Temecula. By this time next year I should be able to visit North California; Napa/Sonoma, Monterey, Paso Robles, and San Luis Obispo.

Some might be puzzled as to why I would go to the winery instead of just buying the wine at the local store. One reason is many of the wines produced in California are only available at the wineries. The production is just too small for mass distribution.

The other reason is, I like to meet and chat with the people behind the wine; the owners, the wine makers. I love to see and smell the vines growing just outside of the wineries. I love the smell of the barrels, crush season, and the various festivals thrown by the wineries. There is just nothing like walking into a winery.

There are plenty of fabulous wineries all through California and I intend to prove it!