Touring and Pouring
It’s been a while since I’ve given an update on our wine tasting adventures. Last I shared, we were headed to Santa Ynez for our first new wine region outside of Temecula Valley. Since then we’ve been back to Santa Ynez (a few times) plus lots of new wine regions, as well.
No surprise, we’ve been doing more pouring than touring these last few months, as travel has come to a halt. So, I thought this was the perfect time to catch up on some of our past wine explorations.
Will Travel for Wine
Since our first wine tasting experience almost 2 years ago in the Temecula Valley, we’ve visited more than 60 wineries and tasting rooms in more than 10 different wine regions (AVAs, or American Viticultural Area). We’ve even done a few Champagne tastings in the Champagne region of France!
Below you’ll find the main areas we’ve traveled to and some of the spots we’ve visited. I’ve even marked some of our standout favorites!
Temecula Valley, California
Known as Southern California's Wine Country, the Temecula Valley AVA is made up of over 40 wineries. Temecula Valley is located about 90 miles southeast of Los Angeles. The area produces more than 50 different varietals of wine but is most known for its Rhône varietals (Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Viognier, and Roussanne). Temecula Valley also produces Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Pinot Gris, and Chardonnay.
Where We’ve Tasted
Akash Winery*
Avensole Winery*
Callaway Winery
Danza Del Sol Winery
Fazeli Cellars
Frangipani Estates
Leoness Cellars
Le Grange Grill & Cellars
Lorimar Winery
Longshadow Ranch
Lumiere Winery
Masia de la Vinya*
Maurice Car’rie Winery
Miramonte Winery
Oak Mountain Winery
Peltzer Family Cellars
Somerset Vineyard & Winery
Wiens Family Cellars
Orange County, California
We’re lucky enough to call Orange County home. While OC does not have an official AVA, within our immediate area we do have quite a few tasting rooms and local wineries worth mentioning in case you’re in the area looking for wine—this group of wineries is known as the OC Wine Trail. While at home, we’ve also been able to check off 4 of the 11 local tasting rooms.
Where We’ve Tasted
Frisby Cellars
Laguna Canyon Winery
Orange Coast Winery
Rancho Capistrano Winery
Santa Rita Hills, Santa Ynez + Los Olivos, California
Santa Barbara Wine Country is comprised of 5 different AVAs, including Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Rita Hills, and Los Olivos, and made up of over 100 wineries. The Santa Ynez Valley is just a 2-hour drive from Los Angeles. The most common varietals include Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Sauvignon Blanc. You can also find several Rhône and Italian grape varietals, as well.
Where We’ve Tasted
Babcock Winery*
Beckmen Vineyards
Brewer Clifton
Bridlewood Estate Winery
Bubble Shack
Epiphany Winery
Firestone Winery
Folded Hills Winery
Foley Estates
Melville Vineyards
Spear Winery*
Story of Soil*
Sunstone Vineyards & Winery
Wandering Dog Wine Bar
Zinke Co
Paso Robles, California
Welcome to California’s Central Coast! Located halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, Paso Robles is made up of over 200 wineries. The area produces more than 60 wine grape varieties including, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Viognier, Roussanne, and of course, Zinfandel. It’s also home to Tablas Creek winery which is known for putting Rhône varietals on the map in California.
Where We’ve Tasted
Brecon Estate Winery*
Eberle Winery
Dilecta
Herman Story Wines
Lone Madrone*
Oso Libre
Tablas Creek
Taste in the Alley (Tasting Room)
Venteux Vineyards*
Whalebone Winery
Willamette Valley, Oregon
The Willamette Valley is split between seven sub-AVAs and is home to more than 300 wineries. Located just a short drive from Portland, the area produces some of the best Pinot Noir in the New World (and maybe even the Old World, too!). Other varietals found here include Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, and Gamay.
Where We’ve Tasted
Alexana Winery
Brooks Winery
Coelho Winery
J Wrigley Vineyards
L'angolo Estate*
Lange Estate
Maysara Winery
Patricia Green Cellars
Resonance Wines*
Rex Hill Winery
Sokol Blosser Winery*
Columbia Gorge, Oregon
Looking for another easy wine region to visit while you’re in the Portland area? The Gorge Wine Country is located less than an hour east of Portland, overlooked by Mt. Hood, and is home to more than 50 wineries. The area is best known for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Other varietals include Pinot Gris, Syrah, Zinfandel, Barbera, Riesling, Gewürztraminer, and Viognier.
Where We’ve Tasted
Hood Crest Winery
Mt. Hood Winery
Phelps Creek Vineyards
Champagne, France
Champagne is located about 140 kilometers Northeast of Paris on the 49th parallel. Its location is not only the most famous, but also is one of the coolest (temperature-wise) wine-growing regions of France. During our trip, we visited both Reims and Épernay (Épernay is considered to be the capital of Champagne.)
Where We’ve Tasted
Moet & Chandon*
Pommery*
Taittinger*
For more of my wine adventures, follow along @touringandpouring!
Cheers!
