Top 11 California Wines You Must Try

<p>It’s hard to believe that just a few decades ago, no one spoke about the “legendary” or “iconic” wines of California. That’s not to say that there weren’t any. It’s just that, beyond the in-the-know wine fanatics, few people really knew what was going on in the Golden State.</p><p>That was before the rise of the so-called “cult” wines, coveted bottles from wineries like Heitz, Grace Family Vineyards, Screaming Eagle and Harlan and (just to name a few), that sell for hundreds or thousands of dollars. If — and that’s a huge ‘if’ — &nbsp;you can even get on the list to buy direct from the wineries, for these are not the kinds of wines you find at the average local boutique.</p><p>Today, the wines of California are known around the globe for their quality and diversity, and the state accounts for 90 percent of the wine made in the United States. If California were a country, it would rank fourth in the world for wine production, behind <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/places-to-go/europe/france"><u>France</u></a>, <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/places-to-go/europe/spain"><u>Spain</u></a> and <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/places-to-go/europe/italy"><u>Italy</u></a>.</p>

<p>Of course, when we think of California wine, the first thing that comes to mind is Napa, its most famous wine region. Neighbouring Sonoma runs a close second. No surprise, this is the land of the “cult” wines. It’s these wines that solidified Cabernet Sauvignon as the signature grape of California — and of Napa and Sonoma specifically. Here, winemakers defined a style — rich, opulent, silky, fruit-forward, oaky and powerful — that went against the <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/places-to-go/europe/france/bordeaux-dordogne"><u>Bordeaux</u></a> model. The wines were made to drink young, pretty much as soon as they were released. Not so in Bordeaux, where wines from top producers needed to age 10 or 20 years before reaching their peak.</p><p>While “soft and easy” stands today as the classic style, California is still evolving. Those massive “fruit-bomb” wines of Napa and Sonoma have been joined by, shall we say, more finessed styles. We have Pinot Noir to thank for that, along with a current vogue for so-called “cool climate” wine styles. These are less flashy and more reverent to the grapes and the terroir in which they are reared. Contemporary wines from Napa and Sonoma offer something for every wine lover’s palate. Here are some of the stars worth searching out.</p>

<h2><strong>Napa</strong></h2><h4><a href="https://www.colgincellars.com/wines/ix-estate/"><strong>Colgin IX Estate Proprietary Red 2014</strong></a><br>&nbsp;</h4><p>An intense and pure wine. Approachable young but certainly age-worthy. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Robert Parker gave this wine 98 points.</p><h4><a href="https://www.opusonewinery.com/wine/"><strong>Opus One 2013</strong></a></h4><p>The brainchild of Robert Mondavi and Baron Philippe de Rothschild, conceived after the two met in 1970. Elegantly balanced and expressive of black fruit and dark chocolate, this wine received 100 points from James Suckling.</p><h4><a href="https://shafervineyards.com/wines/"><strong>Shafer Napa Valley Merlot 2014</strong></a></h4><p>This Merlot put Shafer on the map in the early 1980s. The wine has 14% Malbec and 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, contributing to a juicy powerhouse of fresh berries, plum and herbs. Sumptuous texture.</p><h4><a href="https://montelena.com/wine/2015-napa-valley-chardonnay-magnum/"><strong>Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Chardonnay 2015</strong></a></h4><p>The wine that bested a line-up of Burgundies and Californians at the historic Judgment at Paris wine tasting in the 1970s, solidifying Napa’s reputation for premium Chardonnay.</p><h4><a href="http://cliffledevineyards.com/wines/"><strong>Cliff Lede Stags Leap Cabernet Sauvignon 2014</strong></a></h4><p>From a leader in sustainable winemaking in the Napa region, this Cabernet Sauvignon is a classic Bordeaux blend with 9% Petit Verdot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 4% Malbec and 2% Merlot. Powerful yet elegant, designed for drinking now but worthy of cellaring for 10 to 15 years.</p>

<h2><strong>Sonoma</strong></h2><h4><a href="https://kostabrowne.com/wines/2016-sonoma-coast-pinot-noir/"><strong>Kosta Browne Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2016</strong></a></h4><p>A stellar vintage born of pristine fruit sourced from several vineyards on the Sonoma Coast, which experiences maritime influences from the Pacific Ocean. Savoury and spice notes meld with plum, currants and chocolate.</p><h4><a href="https://www.williamsselyem.com/wine/pinot-noir/2016-olivet-lane-vineyard-pinot-noir/"><strong>Williams Selyem Olivet Lane Vineyard Pinot Noir 2016</strong></a></h4><p>From one of the oldest Pinot Noir vineyards in the Russian River Valley, planted in 1975. This was an excellent vintage. Expect a perfumed and floral Pinot with black cherry and herbal notes. A complex, voluptuous wine.</p><h4><a href="https://www.lacrema.com/wine/nine-barrel-pinot-noir/"><strong>La Crema Nine Barrel Pinot Noir 2015</strong></a></h4><p>This 100% Pinot Noir is made from nine barrels selected by the winemaker for their exceptional quality. A complex, multi-layered Pinot packed with cherry, black licorice and chocolate.</p><h4><a href="https://www.pridewines.com/wine/our-wines/reserve-cabernet-sauvignon/2015-reserve-cabernet-sauvignon/"><strong>Pride Mountain Vineyards Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2015</strong></a></h4><p>A blend of fruit from Sonoma and Napa, this is Pride’s flagship Cabernet Sauvignon. It delivers the winery’s classic style: unctuous, powerful and fruit-forward, with layers of spice, herbs and nuts contributing to its intensity.</p><h4><a href="https://www.jacksonfamilywines.com/en/our-wineries/arrowood"><strong>Arrowood Réserve Spéciale Cabernet Sauvignon 2013</strong></a></h4><p>Arrowood has focused on Bordeaux varieties since 1986. The flagship Réserve Spéciale is designed for ageing for 20 or more years. Robert Parker rated this wine 94+ points.</p><h4><a href="http://www.kistlervineyards.com/wines/chardonnay/"><strong>Kistler Sonoma Mountain Chardonnay 2015</strong></a></h4><p>Kistler is a specialist in Chardonnay, though they also do wonderful Pinot Noir. This wine is made with fruit sourced from vineyard parcels in the Sonoma Mountains.</p>

<p><i>At Butterfield &amp; Robinson, we know a thing or two about wine. All our trips balance exciting adventure with reds, whites, and rosés that will delight your palate. </i><a href="https://www.butterfield.com/"><i><u>Get planning</u></i></a><i> (and savouring) today.</i></p>

Discover 11 of the best California wines—from iconic Napa Cabernets to refined Sonoma Pinot Noirs, highlighting the diversity and excellence of the region.

Top California Wines to Try | 11 Must-Drink Napa & Sonoma Bottles

North America

<p><span style="color:hsl(0, 0%, 30%);">North America is Butterfield &amp; Robinson’s backyard—literally—and its landscape is vast and varied. Having explored its regions since our inception, we know where (and how) to find the parts others cannot reach.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="color:hsl(0, 0%, 30%);">North America offers boundless opportunities for the active traveller. From the transcendent peaks of the Canadian Rockies to the untamed wilderness of British Columbia on the west coast, the continent’s diversity is awe-inspiring. Indulge in the finest multi-cultural cuisines, venture off the beaten path and experience the vibrant heartbeat of the continent.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="color:hsl(0, 0%, 30%);">The allure of North America is as expansive as its landmass, and it’s waiting to be explored.&nbsp;</span></p>

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Cycle the Canadian Rockies and walk Oaxaca's markets and Yucatán's coasts on small group or private bespoke trips across North America, with local experts.

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<p>A place where unparalleled beauty, wilderness and adventure come together; explore the gems of Lake Moraine and Lake Louise. Hike your way around Sunshine Meadows and pedal through the valleys in Banff National Park with jagged mountain peaks all around.</p>

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<p>The Rockies don’t do subtle—think turquoise lakes, jagged peaks, and trails that dare you not to say “wow” every five minutes. Hike flower-filled meadows, bike through Banff’s jaw-dropping valleys, and dip your toes in glacier-fed waters (refreshing is an understatement). It’s self-guided, but Mother Nature handles most of the guiding anyway.</p>

Roaming around the Rocky Mountains

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<p><em>B&amp;R’s Women’s Only trips are designed by women, for women to experience new regions, cultures and communities from female perspectives. </em></p><p>Venture to Canada’s west coast and discover the enchanting British Columbia—a haven of breathtaking coastlines, rugged mountain landscapes and lush, emerald forests. Your journey begins in the vibrant city of Vancouver, where you'll savour local flavours at the renowned Granville Market and wander beneath the ancient, towering trees of Stanley Park. A short flight then whisks you to the magical town of Tofino, where you'll ride the Pacific waves in a female-led surf class and stroll along the pristine shores of endless beaches. Glide through the serene waters of Pacific Rim National Park in a kayak, and e-bike past beaches and forests on your way to Ucluelet. End your adventure learning about local traditions in a bead-making workshop led by a First Nations Elder, an experience that will leave you deeply connected to this serene corner of Canada.</p>

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<p>From city buzz to coastal bliss, this women's-only trip blends wild beauty with west coast soul. Savour bites at Granville Market, surf with badass women in Tofino, and kayak through Pacific Rim’s calm waters. E-bike past beach and forest, then bead with a First Nations Elder. It’s a soul-soothing, wave-chasing, memory-making kind of trip.</p>

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<p>Mexico hums with colour, flavour and culture. Where smoky mezcal flows from generations-old distilleries and markets pulse with energy. Kayak quiet mangroves and unwind in design-forward haciendas that feel blissfully off the map. Hike and bike the Sierra Norte’s quiet foothills, wander Monte Albán’s ancient heights and embrace the warmth of the people—and the food. Vibrant, layered and full of soul, Mexico doesn’t follow a script. It dances to its own rhythm.&nbsp;</p>

Bike Maya ruins, kayak cenotes and hike Yucatán jungle trails on a tailor-made itinerary. Private archaeological access and experiences most travellers miss.

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<p>Oaxaca is Mexico's tastiest secret—mezcal trails, ancient ruins, and mole worth crossing borders for. Pedal past giant cypress trees, hike between Zapotec mountain villages, and explore vibrant markets,&nbsp;hidden canyons and the sun-soaked Pacific Coast. With boutique stays and locals who turn every encounter into a fiesta, this adventure serves up Mexico’s soul—with extra salsa.&nbsp;</p>

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Authentic Food & Mezcal

<p>A different side of Mexico unfolds in Oaxaca, where culture, craft and landscape are inseparable. Cycle through mezcal country, hike misty mountain trails in the Sierra Norte and explore ancient Zapotec ruins on a journey through Oaxaca’s rich cultural heart. Along the way, discover vibrant markets, family-run workshops and exceptional local cuisine, all set against agave fields, colonial cities and hidden valleys—an experience shaped by movement, flavour and connection.</p>

Experience Oaxaca’s vibrant culture on a multi-active small group tour. Cycle mezcal country, hike ancient trails and enjoy authentic local connections with B&R.

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<p><span style="color: rgb(90, 90, 90);">Newfoundland's draw has traditionally been the wide expanses of raw nature, from ranging moose to towering icebergs. This&nbsp;landscape provides endless options to entertain the active explorer. As for the warm and cheery Newfoundlander, that&nbsp;seems to&nbsp;be what keeps visitors coming back. Experience Newfoundland your way on a private, tailor-made adventure inspired by these highlights. </span></p>

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<p>Newfoundland is shaped by sea, story and time. Follow in the wake of Vikings and settlers, drawn by cod-rich waters and windswept shores. Sip molasses-tinged Screech, sway to Gaelic rhythms at lively “kitchen parties” and feel centuries of seafaring spirit in every note. Drift past towering icebergs, spot whales breaching in wild blue and stand on some of the oldest stones on Earth. And when the day ends, wind down&nbsp;in places like Fogo Island Inn—part sanctuary, part work of art and fully unforgettable.</p>

Canada's eclectic east coast

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Walk Newfoundland's iceberg coast, spot whales and puffins from sea cliffs on a custom itinerary. Canada's most surprising destination, privately guided for

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<p>The Rockies are a stunning example of nature at her best.&nbsp;These transcendent mountains formed more than 80 million years ago from continental plates shifting beneath North America. Continuing tectonic activity, along with the erosion created by glaciers, resulted&nbsp;in the&nbsp;dramatic combination of jagged peaks and valleys we see today.&nbsp;What better way to experience them than on an adventure-packed private journey, tailor-made by our Experience Designer who calls the Rockies her backyard.</p>

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In the Wild

<p>From towering peaks and glacier-carved valleys to trails that beg for boots or bike tires, the Rockies are simultaneously rugged and resplendent. Whether you’re hiking alpine ridges, paddling turquoise lakes or spotting elk at sunrise, this is wilderness with wow-factor. Designed by locals who know every switchback, our adventures in the Rockies are anything but ordinary.</p>

Home to some of Canada’s most idyllic scenery

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Hike, bike and raft Banff and Canmore on a tailor-made itinerary. Wildlife trails, river canyons and wild Canada far beyond the viewpoints. Built for you.

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<p>Sample Canada’s most European province through its cheeses, wine, sparkling lakes and delightful city streets, travelling along roads that wind past old ancestral homes, covered bridges, historic churches and chapels. Rural antique shops abound, full of charming trinkets from the past and crafts by local artisans. Come wintertime, a blanket of snow covers the landscape in a soft, white glitter. Here are a few highlights to inspire your bespoke itinerary.</p>

Worlds both old and new meet in Quebec

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<p>British Columbia’s motto is <em>Splendor Sine Occasu</em>, or "splendour without diminishment." In Canada’s most biologically, geographically and climatically diverse province, it may be an understatement. The urge to explore this unbelievable variety of landscapes—from grasslands to soaring mountains, ocean to a modern metropolis—is irresistible. Gaze over Canada’s tallest mountain ranges, ride through cowboy country, fish salmon streams surrounded by coastal rainforest and visit beautiful Vancouver, a sophisticated world-class city.</p>

Nature's Wonders

<p>In British Columbia, the wild and the wonderful go hand in hand. Kayak with orcas, hike rainforest trails, bike past alpine lakes and toast it all with Okanagan wine. From coastal inlets to Rocky Mountain peaks, BC is where rugged beauty meets refined adventure and every trail leads to something unforgettable.</p>

Canada's incredible West Coast

Hike ancient rainforests, kayak among orca pods and bike Tofino's coastal trails on a custom itinerary. Canada's Pacific wilderness, privately guided and

Top 11 California Wines You Must Try

By Annik Boulva

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