Northern California is not, strictly speaking, an appellation, but is often referred to as California’s – if not the United States’ – top grape-producing wine region. It’s blend of fertile soils, mediterranean climate, and mass acreage devoted to grape growing has allowed this region to produce a staggering number of world-class wines.
When people refer to the California wine country, they generally consider it to lie within Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino and Lake counties, but wine grapes grow well throughout much of northern California as well as the other two major regions, California’s Central Coast to the south and the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range to the east.
Northern California is also characterized by a beautiful coastline, a mild climate, redwood forests, and a relatively low population density outside of the greater San Francisco Bay Area and metropolitan Sacramento.
Six of the major grape-growing counties producing grapes in Northern California are:
But the above California counties, despite their relative public limelight, are not alone in their wine-producing prowess. With the advent of the 21st century, America’s taste for quality wines has spurred massive vineyard plantings throughout much of the remainder of northern California, and many off-the-beaten-path gems can be discovered by the ardent oenophile.
The remainder of this page lists the grape varietals grown in each of the above counties, and at least one of our favorite wineries located within each of those counties—wineries worth visiting after your next area outing.
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Alameda County [back to top]
Grapes grown: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Petite Sirah, Port, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Syrah, Tempranillo, Zinfandel
Local wineries: A Donkey And Goat Winery, Bent Creek Winery, Dashe Cellars, Lost Canyon Winery, Murrietta’s Well, Rosenblum Cellars, Steven Kent Winery
Lake County [back to top]
Benmore Valley
Grapes grown: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Zinfandel.
Local winery: Geyser Peak Winery
Clear Lake
Grapes grown: Beaujolais, Blanc de Blancs, Blanc de Noir, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Gamay Beaujolais, Grenache, Merlot, Muscat Canelli, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Rose, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Syrah, Zinfandel.
Local wineries: Ployez Winery, Steele Wines, Wildhurst Vineyards
Guenoc Valley
Grapes grown: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Petite Sirah, Petite Verdot, Port, Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel.
Local winery: Langtry Estate & Vineyards (formerly Guenoc Winery)
High Valley
Grapes grown: Cabernet Sauvignon, Gewurztraminer, Grenache, Merlot, Pinot Grigio, Petite Sirah, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Zinfandel.
Local wineries: Brassfield Estate, Shannon Ridge Winery, Monte Lago Winery.
Red Hills
Grapes grown: Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Musque, Syrah.
Local winery: Fortress Vineyards, Gregory Graham Wines, Project 3000, Thorn Hill Vineyards
Marin County [back to top]
Grapes grown: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Noir
Local wineries: Kendric, Pey-Marin, Starry Night
Mendocino County [back to top]
Anderson Valley
Grapes grown: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Sparkling Wines, Zinfandel
Local wineries: Navarro, Raye’s Hill, Roederer
Cole Ranch
Grapes grown: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Riesling
Local winery: Esterlina
McDowell Valley
Grapes grown: Chardonnay, Grenache Rose, Marsanne, Syrah, Viognier
Local wineries: McDowell Valley
Mendocino Ridge
Grapes grown: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Late Harvest White Riesling, Merlot, Petite Sirah, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, White Riesling, Zinfandel
Local wineries: Edmeades, Greenwood Ridge
Potter Valley
Grapes grown: Riesling, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc
Wineries producing from Potter Valley: Hagafen, Navarro, Sterling
Redwood Valley
Grapes grown: Barbera, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Dolcetto, Gewürztraminer, Merlot, Moscato, Nebbiolo, Petite Sirah, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, Pinotage, Sauvignon Blanc, Sangiovese, Syrah, Tocai Friulano, Zinfandel
Local wineries: Frey, Graziano Family of Wines, Silversmith
Yorkville Highlands
Grapes grown: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignane, Chardonnay, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Zinfandel
Local wineries: Le Vin, Maple Creek, Yorkville
Napa County [back to top] Atlas Peak
Grapes grown: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Sangiovese, Syrah, Zinfandel
Local wineries: Ardente, Atlas Peak, William Hill
Calistoga (in petition status)
Grapes grown: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Johannisberg Riesling, Muscat, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Viognier, Zinfandel
Local wineries: Araujo, Chateau Montelena, Clos Pegase, Cuvaison, Robert Pecota, Sterling
Chiles Valley
Grapes grown: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Johannisberg Riesling, Merlot, Petite Sirah, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Vert, Zinfandel
Local wineries: Catacula Lake, Nichelini, Stonegate
Diamond Mountain
Grapes grown: Barbera, Blanc de Blancs, Blanc de Noirs, Brut Rosé, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Malbec, Merlot, Petite Verdot, Rousanne, Sauvignon Blanc, Tempranillo
Local wineries: Diamond Creek, Schramsberg, von Strasser
Howell Mountain
Grapes grown: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petite Verdot, Petite Sirah, Syrah, Zinfandel
Local wineries: Cornerstone, Howell Mountain, Robert Craig
Los Carneros
Grapes grown: Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Marsanne, Merlot, Mourvèdre, Muscat Canelli, Pinot Noir, Pinot Noir Blanc, Syrah, Zinfandel
Local wineries: Artesa, Cline, Roche
Mount Veeder
Grapes grown: Blanc de Noirs, Brut Cuvée, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Malbec, Merlot, Mourvèdre, Petite Verdot, Rosé Cuvée, Syrah, Viognier, Zinfandel
Local wineries: Domaine Chandon, Hess, Jade Mountain
Napa Valley
Grapes grown: Barbera, Bastardo, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignane, Charbono, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Dolcetto, Gewürztraminer, Grenache, Grignolino, Malbec, Marsanne, Merlot, Mourvèdre, Muscadelle, Muscat Canelli, Muscat Ottonel, Napa Gamay, Nebbiolo, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris/Grigio, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, Primitivo, Riesling, Roussanne, Ruby Cabernet, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Musque, Semillon, Souzao, Syrah, Tempranillo, Teroldego, Tinta Amerela, Tinta Cao, Tinta Madeira, Tocai Friulano, Touriga Nacional, Viognier
Local wineries: Heitz, Rutherford Ranch, St. Supery
Oak Knoll
Grapes grown: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Riesling, Semillon, Syrah, Viognier
Local wineries: Kate’s Vineyard, Trefethen, Van Der Heyden
Oakville
Grapes grown: Alicante Bouschet, Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignane, Chardonnay, Malbec, Malvasia, Merlot, Mourvèdre, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Pinot Gris/Grigio, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Syrah, Tempranillo, Viognier, Zinfandel
Local wineries: Far Niente, Groth, Silver Oak
Rutherford
Grapes grown: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Fumé Blanc, Gamay Beaujolais, Grenache, Merlot, Petite Sirah, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Sangiovese, Syrah, Viognier, Zinfandel
Local wineries: Beaulieu, Cakebread, Grgich Hills
St. Helena
Grapes grown: Barbera, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Gewürztraminer, Johannisberg Riesling, Madeira, Muscat, Petite Sirah, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Syrah, White Zinfandel, Zinfandel
Local wineries: Amuse Bouche, Buehler, Corison, Duckhorn, Spottswoode, Titus, Whitehall Lane
Spring Mountain
Grapes grown: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Viognier
Local wineries: Barnett, Fantesca, Frias Family, Pride Mountain, Robert Keenan
Stags Leap
Grapes grown: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Petite Sirah, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc , Syrah, Zinfandel
Local wineries: Cliff Lede, Robert Sinskey, Stag’s Leap
Wild Horse Valley
Grapes grown: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
Local winery: Heron Lake
Yountville
Grapes grown: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Merlot, Petite Verdot, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc , Syrah, Zinfandel
Local wineries: Dominus, Goosecross, Rocca Family
Sonoma County [back to top] Alexander Valley
Grapes grown: Alicante Bouschet, Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignane, Chardonnay, Cinsault, Gewürztraminer, Fumé Blanc, Grenache, Malbec, Merlot, Mourvèdre, Muscat Canelli, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Syrah, Tempranillo, Viognier, Zinfandel
Local wineries: Chateau Souverain, Clos du Bois, Murphy-Goode
Bennett Valley
Grapes grown: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Viognier, Zinfandel
Local wineries: Bevan, Matanzas Creek, Sable Ridge
Chalk Hill
Grapes grown: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Petite Sirah, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel
Local wineries: Battaglini, Chalk Hill, Rodney Strong
Dry Creek Valley
Grapes grown: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Fumé Blanc, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Syrah, Zinfandel
Local wineries: Ferrari-Carano, Pedroncelli, Pezzi-King
Green Valley
Grapes grown: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel
Local wineries: Flowers, Hartford Family, Raymond Burr
Knights Valley
Grapes grown: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc
Local wineries: Anakota, Hans Fahden, Peter Michael
Rockpile
Grapes grown: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
Winery producing from Rockpile: St. Francis
Russian River Valley
Grapes grown: Alicante Bouschet, Barbera, Black Muscat, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Cinsault, Colombard, Dolcetto, Freisa, Furmint, Gewürztraminer, Grenache, Malvasia, Mammolo, Merlot, Mourvèdre, Muscat Canelli, Napa Gamay, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris/Grigio, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, Pinotage, Riesling, Roussanne, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Musque, Syrah, Trousseau Gris, Viognier, Zinfandel
Local wineries: Davis Bynum, Hop Kiln, Williams Selyem
Fort Ross-Seaview (in petition status)
Grapes grown: Cabernet Sauvignon, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Zinfandel
Local winery: Annapolis
Sonoma Mountain
Grapes grown: Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Fumé Blanc, Malbec, Merlot, Petite Blanc, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Syrah, Viognier, White Burgundy, Zinfandel
Local wineries: Benziger, Laurel Glen, Landmark
Sonoma Valley
Grapes grown: Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Fumé Blanc, Gewürztraminer, Johannisberg Riesling, Malbec, Merlot, Muscat Canelli, Petite Sirah, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Syrah, Viognier, White Burgundy, Zinfandel
Local wineries: Chateau St. Jean, Imagery Estates, Kunde
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