Standout California wine bottles to discover in 2025

10 Best California wines for the festive season 

Two out of every three bottles of wine produced in America come from California, a testament to the Golden State’s status as a winemaking powerhouse. Winemakers in the state have consistently delivered premium wines, efficiently blending traditional techniques with modern innovations. 

Above, you will find a curated selection of California wines worth adding to your collection, together with their tasting notes and expert ratings. 

Golden State’s finest: what are the best California wine brands 

Some of the best California wine brands include wines from Paso Robles California, as well as Screaming Eagle and Opus One, known for their premium quality cult wines. Caymus Vineyards is also a brand that excels in producing collectible Cabernet and Zinfandel. Californian wine brands are notable for their innovation, dedication to quality and commitment to getting the best out of their diverse microclimates. Let’s consider some of the most popular Californian winemakers. 

Among other esteemed producers wineries such as Robert Mondavi, Duckhorn and Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars further exemplify California’s world class winemaking heritage.

Types and styles of California wines

California excels at cultivating grape varieties used in traditional Italian, Bordeaux and Burgundy winemaking. By adding their own twist and employing modern winemaking techniques, producers have achieved remarkable results. The most prominent styles include:

California wines for discerning collectors 

California wines have become some of the most coveted bottles worldwide, with hefty price tags due to the premium quality of their varietals and ingenious winemaking techniques. 

A six liter bottle of Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon 1992 was once sold at the Napa Valley wine auction for an astonishing $500,000, placing California red wines among the most globally treasured bottles. In the table below, we have curated a selection of highly collectible Californian wines, along with descriptions of their flavor profile and perfect food pairings. 

Key California wine grapes

California is a force in the global wine industry, renowned for its diverse climates, innovative winemaking techniques and premium varietals, with Chardonnay standing out as the most widely planted and crushed grape in 2024. According to the USDA, Chardonnay stood out at 18%, closely followed by Cabernet Sauvignon at 16%. While these two remain the most prominent grapes, California also cultivates more than 100 other varietals from which it produces its red and white wines. These include such as Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Syrah, Petit Verdot and even Albarinõ! 

These different grapes each thrive in their individual microclimates covering the coastlands and inland regions, allowing for an impressive range of wine styles. 

California is also the birthplace of ‘cult’ wines, luxury labels prized for their rarity and excellence. Noteworthy examples include the most desirable Sine Qua Non Queen of Spades Syrah 1994; which only had 100 cases made and other exceptional wines by Screaming Eagle, Harlan Estate and Dominus. 

Let’s have a look at some of the key grape varieties grown in California.

Key California red wine grapes: 

1. Cabernet Sauvignon is widely planted in Napa Valley where it is considered the king of red wine grapes. Big, bold and full bodied, Cabernet Sauvignon grapes result in tannic wines that are highly acidic. 
2. Merlot is mainly grown in Paso Robles due to its smooth and very versatile nature, resulting in wine styles ranging from fruity to ageworthy, full bodied expressions. Zinfandel berries are thick skinned and small, resulting in highly acidic, sweet and spicy wines. It has been said to be America’s grape and is the most widely planted varietal in the Lodi valleys.
3. Pinot Noir grapes are versatile and they can be crafted into light bodied reds, sparkling rosés and even white wines. Vineyards in Sonoma County are renowned for the quality of their Pinot Noir.

Lesser known grapes include Petit Syrah, Barbera, Sangiovese, Cabernet Franc, Grenache, Cinsault, Carignan, Dolcetto, Malbec, Mourvèdre, Tempranillo, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Carménère and Syrah.
 
Main California white wine grapes: 

1. Chardonnay is popularly grown in Sonoma County, Chardonnay can take many shapes. It could be full bodied and creamy or bubbly and fruity with notes of vanilla and baking spices.
2. Sauvignon Blanc is aromatic and juicy, cultivated mainly on the North Coast and lovingly crafted into wines with herbaceous and citrus notes. 
3. Pinot Gris is big among Mendocino winemakers and it gives a wine that is light, bright and easy to drink. 
4. Sémillon is planted and made into wines in Napa Valley wineries. Its wines are full bodied, fresh and citrusy while young, with older versions developing more complex aromas.

Leading California wine regions

The wine country of California covers a mosaic of areas, spanning rugged coastlines, hillsides and valleys. California boasts world- class estates and vineyards that deliver an unmatched diversity of wines, each one shaped by its unique climate and production methods.
The North Coast areas such as Sonoma Country and Napa Valley produce most of California’s wines. However, the Central Coast region has also proved itself to be a major player, with a diverse range of wines from several vineyards. 

Let’s have a look at the wine producing regions of California: 

• North Coast (Napa Valley and Sonoma): Napa Valley is home to beautiful, picturesque vineyards, one of the most important wine producing regions in California. Winemakers here have perfected the art of crafting the big and bold Cabernet Sauvignon. Sonoma Valley, Dry Creek and Alexander Valley are three notable winemaking areas in Sonoma County, with their long and warm summers working together with the cool ocean breezes to provide the ideal climate for growing grapes. 
• Central Coast (Monterey, Paso Robles, Santa Barbara): each of these regions comes with its unique terroir, soil and winemaking conditions that winemakers leverage to produce a wide array of wines. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are popular in the cooler coastal areas while producers in warmer, inland regions such as Paso Robles focus on bold reds like Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Syrah. 
• Inland Valleys (Lodi, Sierra Foothills, San Joaquin Valley, Sacramento): the Central Valley, including Lodi and San Joaquin Valleys, makes up the largest wine region being responsible for nearly 40% of California’s wine grapes. A warm and dry region with plenty of sunshine and nutrient rich soils, Inland Valley is known for its signature red blends, made from Petit Syrah, Merlot and other grapes. 
• South Coast (Temecula, Leona Valley, Los Angeles County): grapes in this region benefit from the hot and dry climate, as well as the Pacific Ocean’s cooling effects. Notable offerings include the signature Zinfandel and Rhône varietals, as well as crisp Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. The area’s focus in recent times has been on producing premium wines, especially in major areas including Temecula Valley and San Diego County. 

Best food pairing combos with California wines

What better way to appreciate the beauty of the best California wines than to pair them with excellent dishes? California wines offer a variety of flavors, including robust, rich reds that stand up to savory steaks and fruity rosés perfect for appetizers. 

Here are some top food pairing recommendations for the different styles of Californian wine. 

Designations and California wine appellations

The major wine appellation system in the US is known as the American Viticultural Area (AVA), which describes the geographic wine growing regions recognized by the government. These areas have special qualities like their soil, climate and other characteristics that yield high quality grapes. 

In California, there are 154 established AVAs, more than half of the total number countrywide and prominent areas include the Lodi AVA, the Napa Valley AVA and the Sonoma County AVA. While these areas are known for growing notch grapes, the ‘AVA’ designation does not regulate the type or quality of the grapes bottled.