Climate

One characteristic of wine regions the world over is high diurnal temperature differentiation - or, more simply, a good contrast between warm ripening conditions and the cooler temperatures that allow grapes to maintain their acidity.  With 1,300 miles of coastline stretching from Mexico to the Oregon border, many of California’s winegrowing regions are exposed to maritime fog and breezes that moderate the abundant sunshine.  Rivers, lakes and deltas also have a cooling effect that balance vines rooted in the state’s warmer interior valleys.

Elevation and sun exposure come into play, too.  Mountain vines planted along the Coastal Range to the west and the Sierra Nevada to the east might get snow in winter, but during spring and summer they can be warmer than the valley floor because they lie above the fog line, closer to the sun.  Cabernet Sauvignon can thrive under these growing conditions.

Below, on the benchlands, morning mists blanket vineyards for grapes that can do well with more moderate temperatures, such as Merlot.  Near the ocean, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir develop bright complexity in the chilly, foggy mornings and evenings; in the afternoon, they ripen to full fruit expression in the warm sun.

The diversity lies in the details.  Specific microclimates within California give the wines layers of complexity and a taste of the places they come from.  The state’s winegrowing regions - small and large - have been designated American Viticultural Areas (AVAs), and many of these designations have been based on the region’s individual growing conditions.

Discover the rich diversity of California’s many winegrowing regions, and how their unique growing conditions - such as soils and climate - yield distinctive wines.  Find out about the people behind the wines, too - the winegrowers and winemakers who select the perfect spots to farm and the perfect grapes for their wines, all while preserving the natural balance of the land through sustainable winegrowing.