There’s always something changing in California wine country,” says Michelle Murré, a T+L A-List advisor who specialises in gastronomy travel. Last year, the state welcomed five new American Viticultural Areas (AVAs), or federally recognised wine regions. Among them is the SLO Coast, named after its home county, San Luis Obispo, which is between Santa Barbara and Monterey.
“The designation helps people know our wineries are part of a larger viticultural area,” said Mike Sinor, co-owner of Sinor-LaVallee Winery and Bassi Vineyard. He and other vintners began advocating for the region to be given federal status more than six years ago; today the AVA includes 30 wineries.
A guide to eating, drinking, and staying in California wine country
Regional pride runs deep, no matter which AVA you find yourself in. The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara opened its new Bacara Wine Tasting Room last October. It serves only bottles from Santa Barbara County — from the wine list to the rotating tasting flights. “Our region, which is known for its chilly temperatures and lengthy growing season, offers the best expression of California’s notable wine styles,” says restaurant director Maria Mondragon. “To truly experience the terroir, you should sample a cool-climate chardonnay, pinot noir, or cabernet sauvignon — ideally paired with local food.”
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Northern California wine country is also being revitalised: One addition is Arch & Tower, an outpost of Robert Mondavi Winery in downtown Napa’s historic Borreo Building, built in 1877. The new venue will be the famous brand’s tasting headquarters for the next two years, serving coveted wine tastings and paired lunches, and hosting educational seminars while the winery undergoes renovations.
“Arch & Tower represents Robert Mondavi Winery’s first offsite tasting room since the vineyard was founded in 1966,” says general manager Lauren Larrabee. “And the winery’s impact on Napa Valley and California wine is nothing short of tremendous. When I mention working for Robert Mondavi, there is rarely a person in this industry that doesn’t mention the impact he had on them personally.”
New hotels are also coming to some of the state’s best wine regions. Last year, two high-profile openings included Stanly Ranch, Auberge Resorts Collection, a 712-acre working estate in Napa, and the Madrona, a cluster of private cottages, an old carriage house, and a Victorian mansion in Sonoma County. This past spring, Santa Ynez Valley welcomed the Inn at Mattei’s Tavern, Auberge Resorts Collection, a 67-room countryside haven that offers activities like silk dyeing and polo lessons in addition to wine tastings and cocktail classes.
Next year will see the arrival of the 108-room Appellation Healdsburg, the brainchild of celebrity chef Charlie Palmer and 30-year hospitality veteran Christopher Hunsberger. The culinary-focused Sonoma property, which will also include 53 apartments for staff, is slated to offer more than 50 educational experiences led by locals and centred around craft, food, and farming, such as a coffee cupping with a roaster. Call it a fresh way to harvest the best of California.
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(Feature image credit: Emily Hess, LUCA Branding/Visit Santa Barbara)
This story first appeared on travelandleisure.com
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