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