There are exciting wines to discover from regions big and small all over the Golden State. We're celebrating them all in September for the 9th annual California Wine Month.
Playing Favorites with California Wines

I generally try not to play favorites when it comes to Western wine, but it’s hard not to be proud of the mind-boggling array of gorgeous wines made in my home-base state of California. It’s not just about Napa Cabs and Paso Robles Zins (although it is about that): There are exciting wines to discover from regions big and small all over the state. We’re celebrating them all in September for the 9th annual California Wine Month.

If you live in the Bay Area, don’t miss your chance to taste some great ones from 16 of the Golden State’s regions. The California Wines Road Trip Tasting will take place this Saturday at the San Francisco Ferry Building from 2pm-5pm. More than 150 wines from those 16 AVAs will be poured, and pairing-friendly cheeses and charcuterie will be provided by caterer Paula Le Duc. I’ll be there too, pouring some of my favorite California wines that won medals in the 2013 Sunset International Wine Competition. Tickets are on sale now for $35–but enter promo code SUNSET and you’ll get a $5 discount.

Can’t make it to San Francisco this weekend? Pick up a few of these bottles (listed light to heavy) that I’ll be pouring on Saturday and stage your own at-home tasting!

  • Handley 2012 Pinot Gris (Anderson Valley; $20)
  • Jordan 2011 Chardonnay (Russian River Valley; $30)
  • Riverbench 2010 Chardonnay (Santa Maria Valley; $26)
  • Rodney Strong 2010 “Knotty Vines” Zinfandel (Sonoma County; $25)
  • Acorn 2010 Allegrìa Vineyard “Axiom” Syrah (Russian River Valley; $34)
  • Baldacci Family 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon (Stags Leap District, Napa Valley; $65)
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