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Why visit wine regions that aren’t Napa or Sonoma? Hear me out. I can most definitely get behind a periodic visit to Napa Valley and even Sonoma. With beautiful vineyard properties, world-class wine, and drool-worthy eateries, Napa and Sonoma should absolutely be on your must-visit list as a wine and food lover!
That being said, there are SO MANY other great (and underrated) wine regions in California that are worth a visit, especially if you are a budget traveler.
I crave slower-paced experiences these days with less crowds and laid-back feels. With wine tasting, I want to be able to kick my feet up and have a more intimate experience with the person pouring my juice. I also don’t want to spend my whole paycheck in one day – you know what I mean?
The average tasting in Napa is pushing $50 and that’s just not budget-friendly in my opinion. You can still find some wineries that have lower fees, but it is becoming few and far between. It’s also rare to see tasting fees waived with bottle purchases. When they are, it’s a two or three bottle minimum…and those bottles aren’t cheap either!
Sonoma is climbing up there too. While you can usually at least find better value there, I still see a lot of tastings starting at $40 to $45.
Because I love wine and truly enjoy wine tasting (as well as stretching my hard-earned dollars), I’ve made it a mission to visit as many of the lesser-known wine regions in California as I can.
Must-Visit California Wine Regions that Aren’t Napa or Sonoma
Of all the California wine regions I’ve been to thus far, I prefer to visit the more “undiscovered” places – small towns with boutique wineries that make you feel like family. Luckily, there’s no shortage of those to choose from!
If you’re interested in exploring California wine without the Napa Valley price tag and a more laid-back feel, here’s a list of must-visit wine regions that aren’t Napa or Sonoma!
1. Murphys (Calaveras County)
One of the most charming wine regions in California is the Calaveras County portion of the Sierra Foothills AVA. Many of the wineries in Calaveras County are concentrated around or are in the historic town of Murphys, which is located about two hours from the Bay Area (and a little less from Sacramento).
Murphys has one of my favorite downtowns of all the regions on this list! I love that you can park your car and walk from tasting room to tasting room for an entire day (or even a whole weekend!), visiting tasty restaurants in between or after your sips of vino.
Murphys Wine
Wine produced in Calaveras County is varied but there is heavy focus on Italian and Spanish varietals and lots of Zinfandel. For Rhone varietals, head to one of my favorite Murphys wineries – Lavender Ridge, which also offers a cheese pairing with their tasting!
I’m also a big fan of Newsome Harlow (try their Sauvignon Blanc), School Street, which is located in Vallecito on the way in to Murphys, and Broll.
Dining in Murphys
Foodies visiting Murphys will be happy! For lunch, grab a sandwich or wrap, along with a beer or glass of local wine at the casual Murphys Pourhouse. If you’re looking for something more elevated, reserve an evening dinner at Grounds to wind down from your day of wine tasting.
For more trip planning to Murphys, be sure to
read my full Murphys Travel Guide!
2. Lodi
As one of the larger AVAs in California with over 85 wineries, Lodi should hardly be considered an underrated wine destination. Located in the Central Valley, about 45 minutes south of Sacramento, the land of Old Vine Zinfandel awaits!
We first discovered Lodi in 2018 when we took an overnight trip for our anniversary. We’ve been returning several times a year ever since!
Where we live in the Bay Area, Lodi is less than an hour away, making it an easy day-trip destination. You could also easily turn a trip to Lodi into a weekend trip. I highly recommend staying at the Wine & Roses Inn for a romantic weekend away.
Lodi Wine
Lodi is best known for its Old Vine Zinfandel, but they also produce many other unique varietals. In fact, Lodi wineries actually introduced me to my first Garnacha, Carignan and Albariño – just to name a few!
It’s hard to cover a lot of ground when you have over 85 wineries to choose from. But don’t worry, it’s my mission to visit them all someday! One of my current favorites is Intercoastal, which produces some fantastic white wines like their Pinotage Bianco. m2 Wines is also a great spot and their tasting room is unique for architecture lovers! For some lovely classics, be sure to drop by Peltier, Prie, and Durst, or Acquiesce for white wines with food pairings.
Dining in Lodi
Lodi has quite a varied food scene with amazing sushi spots like M Sushi Bistro and Komachi Sushi (one of my all-time favorite sushi restaurants), West Oak Nosh in Downton Lodi serving up hearty German-style pub fare, and Guantonio’s and Pietro’s Trattoria for pizzas and Italian eats. Pietro’s is one of my favorite Italian restaurants outside of Italy!
For more trip planning to Lodi, check out my full Lodi Travel Guide!
3. Suisun Valley
One of the most underrated wine country finds in California is Suisun Valley, located a stone’s throw from Napa Valley. Even though it’s close to Napa, the atmosphere is much more laid back with boutique wineries set amongst scenic farmlands.
Suisun Valley Wine
Though Suisun Valley grows dozens of grape varietals, the area champions Petite Sirah and has earned the nickname “Petite Sirah Capital of the World.” However, I’ve had some interesting wines from Suisun Valley wineries of all kinds!
It’s in Suisun Valley you’ll find one of my favorite wineries in all of California – Tolenas Winery! I adore this family-run winery helmed by Lisa Howard and her husband Cliff. The hospitality and down-to-earth atmosphere at Tolenas is simply unmatched. They make fabulous wine too, including my favorite Sauvignon Blanc and their unique Eclipse White Pinot Noir.
Some of my other favorites in the area include Vezer, which has two locations that you can taste at for one fee, and Sunset Suisun, which is a cozy, down-to-earth spot! Caymus has also opened up a newer location in Suisun, which I can’t wait to visit soon.
Dining in Suisun Valley
Suisun Valley has some delicious eateries, including an awesome taproom in downtown Fairfield called Rustwater Kitchen. They make my favorite cheeseburger (make it a double please)! Rustwater also has an amazing selection of beer on tap if you need to switch it up from wine.
I also highly recommend Big H Deli (bring those stretchy pants for this one) and Two60 Kitchen, along with olive oil tasting and food pairing at Il Fiorello.
For more trip planning to Suisun Valley, be sure to read my full Suisun Valley Travel Guide!
4. Carmel Valley
Carmel Valley is the perfect wine country locale for visitors also wanting to check out the seaside towns of Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea. You could easily devote a whole stay to Carmel Valley or make it a day trip up from Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea!
The atmosphere in Carmel Valley is rustic and extremely relaxed, which is exactly what I like for any wine-tasting adventure.
Carmel Valley Wine
In Carmel Valley, Cabernet and Merlot make up about 70% of the varietals grown in the AVA. You’ll likely see a lot of Chardonnay and Pinot Noirs on tasting menus here too.
With the exception of a few wineries, like Folktale, most Carmel Valley wineries are located within a three-block radius. Park your car once you’re in town and visit each spot on foot! I love the ambiance at Folktale and wine flights are available to order to pair with your lunch. It’s a great first stop for any Carmel Valley visit.
I’m also a big fan of Joyce Winery (which is located next to a tap room that serves beer if you are dragging around a non-wine-loving husband like me) and Twisted Roots (which actually gets their grapes from Lodi vineyards!). This is definitely a wine region I’d love to explore a bit more of in the future.
Dining in Carmel Valley
Lunch at Folktale Winery is a must and is the best spot to kick off a visit to the area due to its location. The food and Chateau-inspired architecture will sweep you off your feet, transporting you to the French countryside!
If you prefer to grab a bite closer to most of the tasting rooms (or are on more of a tight budget), Carmel Valley also has some wonderfully-rated Mexican spots and quaint cafes.
For more trip planning to Carmel Valley, be sure to read my Carmel Valley Wine article and my complete California Coast Guide for trip ideas to Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea.
5. Livermore Valley
Located just 45 minutes east of San Francisco, Livermore Valley is one of the most easily-accessible wine regions in the Bay Area for local residents! The Livermore Valley is also one of California’s oldest wine regions and is a cozy locale, filled with 40+ wineries – many of them boutique and family-run.
Livermore Valley Wine
In my humble opinion, Livermore Valley is a great destination for red wine lovers – especially if you love Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. It also has a significant history with Chardonnay as about 75% of California’s chardonnay grapes have been spawned from the Wente clone in Livermore!
In The Block area of Livermore, visitors can pop into multiple boutique tasting rooms, like my personal favorite – Omega Road. Head further away from the town center, and make your way to Cuda Ridge for some luscious Bordeaux-style wines or Del Valle and Mitchell Katz for lovely Livermore Hills views from their charming patios.
No matter where you turn, you’re sure to have a wonderfully-quaint tasting experience at Livermore wineries.
Dining in Livermore Valley
Both Livermore and nearby Pleasanton have cute downtown areas filled with restaurants and shops with tons of spots for a great meal. In Livermore, grab some elevated Chinese and Dim Sum at Uncle Yu’s. Or, keep it casual at Hop DeVine – a tap room serving delicious food, along with beer, wine and cocktails.
Pleasanton has an equal amount of charm and restaurants to choose from. Try Brava Garden Eatery for a mix of Argentinian and Italian food. And don’t skip on passing through the Meadowlark Dairy for a soft-serve cone!
For more trip planning to Livermore, read my full Livermore Valley Travel Guide.
6. Paso Robles
Located along California’s Central Coast, you’ll find Paso Robles – a California wine region that boasts a whopping 200+ wineries! Not only is it prime wine country, Paso is also a great foodie and brewery town with plenty of activities to keep you busy in between winery visits.
Getting to Paso Robles requires a bit more work than some of the other wine regions on this list. You’ll either need to take a road trip from LA or San Francisco (just under a 3.5-hour drive from each) or fly into nearby San Luis Obispo if you’re coming in from out of state. Either way, it’s worth the effort!
And there is no shortage of unique places to stay – like the Geneseo Inn (crafted out of repurposed shipping containers); the Paso Robles Inn (some rooms come with patio spas!); or the Hatch House Victorian Airbnb if you’re staying with a group.
Paso Robles Wine
Major grape varietals you can find in the Paso Robles area include Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Rhone Varietals, and Cal-Italians. However, there are roughly 60 different varietals grown in the region! With over 200 wineries, you can find something unique amongst the classics.
Winery ambiance is also highly varied, from boutique to larger properties, and wineries housed in castles or simply in old converted homes. You can spend your time hopping around the Downtown tasting rooms or venture out to the West Side, East Side, or Tin City areas.
One of my personal favorite areas to visit is Tin City – a cool spot where you can walk around and visit dozens of tasting rooms on foot (plus a brewery, cidery, and distillery). I highly recommend Levo, Jacob Toft, and Onx Wines in Tin City!
Dining in Paso Robles
Downton Paso has some fantastic options that range from casual to high end. For me, Fish Gaucho is a must – serving up savory modern Mexican cuisine! For lunch, I recommend getting takeaway from the Red Scooter Deli and packing a picnic for a day of wine tasting.
In the Tin City area, Etto Pasta Bar is serving up delicious pasta dishes and beautiful desserts – perfect for lunch or dinner. Or for a more casual option, hit up the food trucks at Barrel House Brewing. And of course, if you want hearty pub grub you can’t miss Firestone Walker Brewing.
For more trip planning, I have several posts on visiting Paso Robles, including a full travel guide with a four-day weekend itinerary!
7. Santa Barbara County
Santa Barbara County is a fun one because it includes the cute little Danish town of Solvang! Base yourself there or in Santa Barbara and explore the nearby wine regions including the Santa Ynez Valley, Buellton, and beyond.
There are tasting rooms located in the town of Solvang, which you can visit on foot, or you can take a wine tour (like we did) to explore the local wine without having to worry about a driver!
Santa Barbara Wine
In Santa Barbara County, there are over 275 wineries spread throughout seven different AVAs with Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah reigning supreme. And I can confirm, you’ll definitely want to taste the Pinot Noirs here!
We had some great ones from McKinney and Esfuerzo – two wineries I highly recommend visiting when in the area (although the experience at McKinney has since become not entirely budget-friendly).
Dining in Santa Barbara County
This one is tough to cover since the area is so spread out and also includes Santa Barbara, which is a foodie haven in its own right! In Solvang, book a nice dinner at Mad & Vin located in the Landsby Hotel (ask for a seat outside in the courtyard) or get casual at the Copenhagen Sausage Garden.
If you’re visiting Santa Barbara, get some fresh seafood at On The Alley. When passing through Los Olivos, Paninos is a great spot to grab a sandwich for a picnic lunch.
For more trip planning to Santa Barbara County, check out my posts on Solvang and Santa Barbara!
8. El Dorado County
El Dorado County is a part of the Sierra Foothills AVA, with a large concentration of wineries in Placerville and El Camino – smack dab in the middle of my favorite California fall destination – Apple Hill!
Getting to this wine region is easy from Sacramento, as it’s just under an hour away by car. From the Bay Area, plan on at least two hours (make a weekend trip out of it and stay at the Eden Vale Inn!).
El Dorado Wine
Grapes grown in the El Dorado region vary greatly and I’m ashamed to say this is one wine region I’ve been to without exploring enough wineries! That definitely needs to change.
If you do visit, expect to find a lot of Zinfandel, Bordeaux varietals, and Rhone varietals (which I love!). Wineries in this area are open year-round, so even if you aren’t visiting Apple Hill in the fall, you can still make a trip up here to enjoy all the wine!
I highly recommend booking at Myka Estates in the summer. They have a beautiful, relaxing property with great wine and even seasonal small bites that pair well with wine tasting.
Dining in El Dorado County
When visiting the area, you can dine at restaurants in Downtown Placerville or explore the different farms in the Apple Hill area.
Of course, fall treats are a must if you’re visiting from September through November, but you can also find year-round farms with seasonal goodies (like Boa Vista) and spots that have rotating food trucks (like Pine-O-Mine Ranch).
For more trip planning to this region, check out my Apple Hill Guide and my Eden Vale Weekend Getaway posts!
9. East Contra Costa County
Um…where?! This last one is a bit of a wild card. However, I wanted to throw it in because there are a handful of cute wineries in the East San Francisco Bay Area (where I currently live!) that deserve some recognition.
Take a drive out to suburbia and experience vineyards and wineries intertwined with the farmlands in Brentwood to see for yourself.
Wine in Contra Costa County
Grapes grown in CoCo County are often scattered about to other winemakers in the Bay Area, but some stay close to home at family-run wineries. Varietals grown here include 100 plus-year-old Zinfandel, Mourvedre, and Carignan. These old vines are rooted deep below the soil which allows them to thrive in the intense climate. Summer temps here often reach over 100 degrees!
Wineries in this area worth a visit include Serendipity Cellars (my current favorite), Campos Family Vineyards, McAuley Estate (open only once a month to the public), and Hannah Nicole. You can also stop in at the Co Co County Wine Bar in Downtown Brentwood to sample other local wines!
Dining in East Contra Costa County
I won’t beat around the bush – East CoCo County isn’t necessarily a foodie destination. However, there are some great finds like Attraversiamo, serving up farm-to-table fare, and their sister restaurant, The Yard (slinging out delicious smash burgers, chicken sandwiches, filthy fries and rice bowls).
There’s also Chelsea – our go-to local sushi spot, which I think has some of the best sushi in the East Bay Area. MJ’s Cafe is also a good stop for breakfast or brunch with generous portions!
Have you been to any of these California wine regions that aren’t Napa or Sonoma? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Wish List Wine Regions
While I feel like I’ve covered a lot of wine ground in California, there is still so much more to discover! These are some California wine regions on my wish list to visit in the near future. So much wine, so little time! Do you have a favorite from this list that you’ve visited that you think I should prioritize?
- Amador County
- California Delta Region
- Morgan Hill
- Temecula
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