| Wine is a beverage that is produced throughout | | | | French varieties.The Temecula wine country is |
| the world. Each region may claim to be the best, | | | | located south of Los Angeles. It contains 3000 |
| but the wines produced in California can compete | | | | acres of vineyards and is famous for wine tasting |
| with all of them. California is responsible for 90 | | | | day trips. It sits approximately 1400 feet above |
| percent of the country's wine making. They have | | | | sea level and enjoys a warm, dry climate. 14 of |
| mainly been produced in the Northern regions but | | | | the wineries that are located there have won |
| the relatively new comers from the Southern | | | | awards for the quality and taste of their wine. |
| region have taken hold.The southern region of | | | | The wines of this region are affordable which |
| California produces nearly 500 million gallons and | | | | lends to their popularity. They are not only known |
| ships them all over the world. The coastal town | | | | for their European grapes, but are also famous |
| of Santa Barbara has an environment that grapes | | | | for producing delicious varietals from the |
| thrive in. It contains 21000 acres of vineyards and | | | | Mediterranean. These include Violgnier and Pinot |
| brings in $100 million to the region. Although | | | | Gris. Despite the fact that they are relatively new |
| contained in one region of the state, it has several | | | | wineries, that have made a name for themselves |
| different climates. The Pala Mesa Mountain region | | | | that is respected by many wine lovers.Shadow |
| has weather that allows sunny days and cool | | | | Mountain wineries are located 4400 feet above |
| evenings that the grapes grow well in. Conversely, | | | | sea level. Their specialty is the ever popular |
| the Cape Horn region enjoys hot weather, with | | | | Cabernet Sauvignon.Southern California produces |
| the mercury often passing 100 degrees.Thanks to | | | | just about every kind of wine, enough to please |
| this constant warmth in temperature, wine | | | | all of the wine lovers the region attracts. Many |
| growing is not limited by adverse weather | | | | people come to the region not just for the |
| conditions. The wineries are able to operate | | | | beautiful scenery or the warm weather, but to |
| throughout the year on a specific schedule. The | | | | take part in wine tasting from the many |
| spring is used to plant the new crop, while the | | | | vineyards there. They enjoy a friendly rivalry with |
| summer is used to tend it. In the fall, the grapes | | | | the Napa Valley and Sonoma vineyards that are |
| are harvested and in the winter the fields are | | | | located in Northern California, and have proven |
| weeded and made ready for the spring. There | | | | themselves to be equal in both taste and |
| are a variety of grapes grown in this region, | | | | quality.Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre |
| including Syrah, Pino Blanc, Chardonnay and other | | | | Florida. |