Major California Wine Regions
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MENDOCINO COUNTY
AVA's: Mendocino Ridge, Anderson Valley, Yorkville Highlands, Redwood Valley, McDowell Valley
Famous Varietals: Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
LAKE COUNTY
AVA's: High Valley, Red Hills, Guenoc Valley
Famous Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
SIERRA FOOTHILLS
AVA's: El Dorado, Shenandoah Valley, Fairplay, Fiddletown
Famous Varietal: Zinfandel
NAPA VALLEY
AVA's: Howell Mountain, Diamond Mountain, St. Helena, Rutheford, Atlas Peak, Stags Leap, Yountville, Oak Knoll, Mt. Veeder, Coombsville, Wild Horse Valley, Los Carneros, Chiles, Valley
Famous Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
SONOMA COUNTY
AVA's: Alexander Valley, Rockpile, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma Coast, Chalk Hill, Russian River Valley, Green Valley, Sonoma Valley, Bennett Valley, Sonoma Mountain, Los Carneros
Famous Varietals: Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
CENTRAL VALLEY
AVA: Lodi
Famous Varietal: Zinfandel
SAN FRANCISCO BAY
AVA's: Santa Cruz Mountains, Livermore Valley, Santa Clara Valley
Famous Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir
MONTEREY COUNTY
AVA's: Santa Lucia Highlands, Carmel Valley, Arroyo Seco
Famous Varietals: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Merlot
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY
AVA's: Paso Robles, York Mountain, Edna Valley, Arroyo Grande Valley
Famous Varietals: Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY
AVA's: Santa Maria Valley, Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Rita Hills
Famous Varietals: Syrah, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
TEMECULA VALLEY
AVA: Temecula
Famous Varietal: Syrah
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WINE BY THE NUMBERS
Though wine drinkers now outnumber beer drinkers for the first time in U.S. history, winemakers take heed: our appreciation for wine lags far behind other countries.
1934: the year after Prohibition, just 0.26 gallons of wine were consumed per American.
1946: Consumption jumped to 1.00 gallons – but dropped back to 0.67 gallons the next year!
1967: Twenty-one years later, it reached 1 gallon again —1.03 gallons of wine per American. Maybe thank the hippies for that.
1980: We topped the 2 gallon mark at 2.11. During the decade, Americans went wild with 2.43 gallons of wine per year, but by 1989, dropped back down to the starting point, 2.11!
1990-1999: In 1990, we were each drinking 2.05 gallons, but kept drinking less through most of the decade. 1999 saw us drop to 2.02 gals.
2000-2004: The new century saw a steady uptick in wine consumption—in 2005, at 2.37 gallons. Still not as high as 1985, 1986, or 1987—but chugging along.
2005: We break the 3 gallon barrier weighing in at 3.09 gallons. Maybe thank the “Millennials” for that, those 20-29-year-olds who have embraced wine enthusiastically.
Our Yearly Consumption vs. Other Countries (per person, per capita)
•U.S. 3.09 gallons
•Italy: 16 gallons
•France: 14 gallons
•Australia: 5+ gallons
"As wine consumption increases, so do wine choices. Facing the wall of wine at the local store is daunting for even the most seasoned of wine buyers! A wine club is just a fun and convenient way to experience quality wines." ~ Bruce & Pam Boring, The California Wine Club
