California's Lesser Known Wine Regions

California's Napa and Sonoma wine regions are well-known. There are many other wine areas that are not so familiar, maybe you could call them underappreciated. Here are a few I know about and consider high quality. Maybe you want to give them a try, too.

Starting over a hundred miles north of San Francisco and working our way down almost to Los Angeles.

Anderson Valley in Mendocino County

Mendocino County

Anderson Valley is a lonely, lovely, cool valley that's a hotbed for pinot noir along with chardonnay, riesling, gewurztraminer, and sparkling wines. There's not much in the way of eating or lodging, but the wines are excellent and the prices reasonable. Plus, there are redwoods and a beautiful coastline nearby. AV is an underappreciated gem among gems.

Old vines in Shenandoah Valley, Amador County

Sierra Foothills

Nevada, El Dorado, Amador, and Calaveras Counties

These growing regions sit along Highway 49 (for the 49ers during the Gold Rush). Amador is the center and has the most wineries, with El Dorado doing pretty well, also. Nevada County to the north and Calaveras to the south are less developed.

Amador has long been known for zinfandel. Now you find barbera and others coming on. You will run across sauvignon blanc, syrah, sangiovese, petite sirah, and others.

El Dorado's most-planted grape is zinfandel, but there are lots of Bordeaux and Rhone grapes -- and many others. Being a warm area, you'll also find Spanish and Italian varietals. The Rhones seem to do particularly well here.

Edna Valley, San Luis Obispo County

San Luis Obispo County

Paso Robles is pretty well-known mostly for zinfandel and cabernet; maybe less-known for merlot and syrah. Also in San Luis Obispo are Arroyo Grande and Edna Valley, recognized for chardonnay and pinot noir.

Miles and Jack cruzin' Santa Ynez

Santa Barbara County

Los Angeles wine drinkers and to fans of the movie Sideways are familiar with this area, but it's not as recognized by people living outside of Southern California. The Santa Ynez Valley is loved by pinot noir fans.