| Almost every day I'm asked to help people plan | | | | some time at Barrel 27 and Denner for some of |
| wine tasting trips to lesser known parts of | | | | the best value wine under $40 you'll find |
| California. To me, part of the excitement about | | | | anywhere. |
| wine is taking the time to both research new | | | | Healdsburg, California: Although technically part of |
| wineries, but also to find the smaller family owned | | | | Sonoma it doesn't seem to be part of the |
| establishments where you can have a | | | | average wine drinkers itinerary despite the |
| conversation with the winemaker or owner and | | | | former presence of Gallo's tasting room. Perhaps |
| see the passion and care that goes into their | | | | the perception of Gallo crafting bargain wine |
| products. Many of these wine regions give a very | | | | spreads to the rest of the area as well, but this |
| high quality to value ratio which you simply cannot | | | | certaintly isn't the case. While in Healdsburg spend |
| find at larger producers or the more famous | | | | some time tasting at the many wineries situated |
| parts of Napa and Sonoma where land and labor | | | | among the amazing restaurants in the central |
| costs keep the prices sky high. | | | | square while admiring the redwoods which grace |
| Los Olivos, California: A great little small town in | | | | the same area. Once you're done there, take a |
| Santa Barbara county about 15 miles inland. You | | | | short 5 minute drive to Copain where Wells |
| get to experience over 20 tasting rooms within | | | | Gunthrie is crafting some of the best low alcohol |
| walking distance from each other. Of special | | | | wines in all of California. |
| interest should be both Tensely and Stolpman | | | | Temecula, California: Not even close to my |
| which are both small, family owned wineries which | | | | favorite wine region because quite frankly I think |
| are producing wines being scored 92+ points from | | | | the quality of wine being produced isn't worth the |
| every major critic. | | | | prices being charged, however I'd be remiss |
| Paso Robles, California: Certainly getting more and | | | | without mentioning an area that lies within a 1 |
| more attention as time goes on Paso is producing | | | | hour drive of over 20 million Southern California |
| some of the best Rhone varietal wine anywhere | | | | residents. Palumbo makes some good Italian |
| in the world. After a 2003 earthquake flattened | | | | styled wines and Wilson Creek does perhaps the |
| the downtown area, it has been revitalized into an | | | | best almond flavored champagne anywhere in |
| area with tasting bars, restaurants etc. Spend | | | | California. |