With a history that dates back to the 18th century when Spanish missionaries planted the first vineyards, California has a mind blowing 139 viticultural areas and over 4,800 wineries to enjoy. Its sunny, coastal climate and diverse soils create the perfect conditions to produce world-class Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, and Pinot Noir. Napa Valley and Sonoma County lead the charge, however beyond the well-trodden paths of these famous regions lies a treasure trove of under-the-radar spots that deserve to be discovered. Here’s a hit list of wines to try in celebration of the Golden State!
Led by Joan & Dave Szkutak, SAMsARA focuses on small-lot, hand-crafted cool climate wines like Pinot Noir, Grenache, and Syrah, produced in Santa Barbara County. Their approach to winegrowing begins with carefully selecting unique sections of each vineyard based on soils, altitudes, slopes, and elevations that bring out the best in the vines, cultivating "healthy vines in challenging conditions." Their 2019 Syrah/Grenache - Cuvée D'Inspiration scored 95 points from sommelier and wine journalist Erin Brooks.
Favia Wines (Coombsville, Napa Valley, CA)
Favia was established in 2003 as a collaboration between viticulturalist Annie Favia and winemaker Andy Erickson who have been called “Napa’s Dynamic Duo”. Before founding their winery, the husband-and-wife duo had extensive experience at some of Napa Valley’s most renowned vineyards and wineries. Partnering with winemaker Jessica Tarpy, the team identified exceptional vineyard sites in the Vaca Mountains, carefully selecting locations with ideal soils, climate, and exposure for cultivating top-tier wine grapes. In early 2023, Favia expanded by acquiring an 86-acre parcel in Oakville, one of Napa’s last undeveloped estates. Favia produces spectacular wines, which are not inexpensive and can be hard to find, which is why a visit to the tasting room in Coombsville might be the best place to start.
Raft Wines (Sonoma, CA)
RAFT [n.]
Jennifer Reichardt, the winemaker and owner of Raft Wines, specializes in small-batch, sustainably farmed wines. Jennifer comes from a family with deep roots in food and agriculture, and her philosophy of minimal intervention winemaking shines through in her fresh, vibrant expressions of Rhône varietals like Syrah, Grenache, and Viognier. Jennifer’s passion for winemaking took hold in 2011, and after completing her first harvest in Sonoma County, she went on to work multiple harvests across the globe, from Chile to Australia, before returning to California. In 2023, Raft Wines bottled its seventh vintage. You can taste her wines at some of California’s top restaurants, including Republique in LA and Barndiva in Sonoma. Her wines are also in top restaurants in North Carolina. We love her 2022 Cavaillon Sauvignon Blanc and are anxiously awaiting a shipment to try the 2022 Fleur Rouge Red Blend in anticipation of Fall.
Morgado Cellars, Napa, CA
"The best wine starts with soil imprinted by the winemaker’s shadow" — a philosophy Kimberly lives by in her winemaking journey.
After spending a decade as a firefighter in San Francisco, Kimberly Hatcher decided to pursue her passion for winemaking. By trading shifts and using vacation time during harvest season, Kimberly balanced her full time career while hoing her talents in the cellar, collaborating with some of the most respected growers in Napa and Sonoma. Her hands-on approach to vineyard work, combined with a deep respect for farmers who understand both vineyard management and winemaking, has been key to her success. She often walks the rows, ensuring a close connection with the vines and the land. She focuses on a single expression each year of Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and a Cabernet Franc-Merlot red blend, and her wines consistently earn 90+ points.