| If you are planning a trip to California, | | | | do is decide which areas of California wine |
| then you might want to consider scheduling | | | | country you want to visit. Most places are |
| some time for a trip to visit some of the | | | | near each other, so you can map out a visit |
| many California wineries. With the gorgeous | | | | where you can see a couple of wineries in one |
| weather and lush scenery this can be a | | | | day. You can start by looking at websites |
| wonderful way to experience some of the finer | | | | which give information on wineries including |
| US wines. | | | | tours and special events. Also, try the |
| | | | winery organizations and trade bureaus. |
| California wine is well known all over the | | | | |
| planet and with over 200 days of sunshine | | | | 2. Make sure you make reservations. You may |
| each year this state boasts an ideal climate | | | | find that the wineries require an appointment |
| for growing wine of all kinds. In | | | | if you want to try some wine tasting so it is |
| California, you will find 6 predominate | | | | a good idea to call ahead of time. Also, if |
| varieties of wine. The Sauvignon Blanc is a | | | | you are traveling to California, be sure that |
| white wine with a melony or herbal taste and | | | | you have your travel and hotel plans already |
| is a good pairing with seafood. The | | | | booked before you start to look into winery |
| Chardonnay can have a buttery taste and goes | | | | tours. When scheduling tours, it is best to |
| well with chicken as well as seafood. Of the | | | | limit yourself to no more than 3 vineyards |
| red wines, you will find Pinot Noir which has | | | | per day. You want to allow yourself enough |
| a fruity taste, the Zinfandel which can be | | | | time to see everything and traveling between |
| fruity, herbal or spicy, the Merlot which can | | | | wineries can take some time as well. If |
| have a fruity and floral flavor and the | | | | there are special events, you want to be sure |
| Cabernet Sauvignon. | | | | to allow enough time for those too. |
| | | | |
| Along with the varieties above, you can find | | | | 3. Know what you want to see. It will be in |
| many other types of wine to peak your taste | | | | your best interest to know exactly where you |
| buds and California winery tours offer not | | | | want to go and what you want to see before |
| only an inside look as to how the wines are | | | | you start on your trip. That way you won't |
| made but also wine tasting as well as yearly | | | | waste time arguing over which direction to go |
| festivals and events based around processing | | | | in. If you can get a driver that knows the |
| and harvesting. If you time your visit to | | | | area, all the better. |
| California right, you can make the most of | | | | |
| your winery tours. | | | | Some wineries in California are small while |
| | | | others are quite large. In some you may see |
| If you are thinking about adding some | | | | the farmers picking grapes by hand while |
| California wine tours to your schedule, here | | | | others use machines for harvesting. Either |
| are some things to consider: | | | | way, you are sure to have a fun filled day |
| | | | with your family and maybe even learn a |
| 1. Plan your visit. As with anything else, | | | | little about the California wine business to |
| planning ahead will help to insure a | | | | boot! |
| successful tour. The first thing you should | | | | |