Summer is the perfect time for the festive energy of sparkling wine, the welcoming blush of Rosé and the crisp snap of a chilled Sauvignon Blanc. And there’s no better place to explore these wines—and the gifts of the summer season—than California.
California boasts plenty of top-quality sparklers and wineries in which to enjoy them. The grand house at Sonoma’s Domaine Carneros has the look and feel of an opulent château and you can easily spend an afternoon sipping wine on its large patio. Domaine Chandon’s Non-Vintage Blanc de Noirs can be enjoyed with oysters every weekend at the estate winery in Yountville, while Healdsburg’s Bubble Room at J Vineyards offers flights of sparkling wines with caviar or a tasting menu of cheese and meat from the terrace.
The spirit of the late American wine pioneer Robert Mondavi lives on in a summertime evening concert series at Mondavi Vineyards near Oakville. Pack a picnic lunch and bring the family to the festival, which has been an annual destination for Californians for the past 40 years. The annual show features the New Orleans Preservation Hall Jazz Band, a generous store of Mondavi’s signature Fume Blanc and a fireworks show.
Driving inland to Placerville, you’ll discover the Sierra Vista Winery, one of the most scenic tasting room picnic areas in California. Play with one the winery’s famous cats as you sip the ’05 Fume Blanc and take in the spectacular view of the Crystal Range, part of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Lake Tahoe can be found a bit further up the road. Toast the sunset with a glass of Navarro Gewurztraminer and enjoy an outdoor meal at the Sunnyside Steakhouse and Lodge.
Also in the Sierra Foothills of Gold Country, do a tasting of the celebrated pinks at the Pilot Peak Vineyards and Winery in Penn Valley. Compare the apricot-tinged Viognier with the brilliant strawberry of the award-winning Grenache Rosé, while drinking in spectacular scenery. Also be sure to sample the hint of nectarine and cherry in Montevina’s Terra d'Oro Amador County Rosé, brought to California more than 150 years ago by Italian immigrants during California’s Gold Rush.
Down the road at Shenandoah Vineyards, where all the grapes are 100% estate-grown and organic, spend some time wandering the in-house gallery featuring local artists. And if you prefer goats to the company of people, make an appointment (reservations are necessary) with Cappy the resident goat at Avio Vineyards and he’ll keep you company while you sip a Sauvignon Blanc under an old oak tree.
The charms of Amador County are many. Stay and play awhile in its historic towns, take the family on a gold mine tour, hit the golf course, or dive into the area’s famous fishing holes. This is summer living California-style.
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