Touring the California Wineries

ign="center">geographical areas that have been designated for
If your wine collection is growing rapidly and youviniculture � to visit since there are so
don't have a wine cellar, then there is a hugemany. Luckily most of them are bunched
choice of wine racking that's designed for hometogether by region right next to urban and natural
use. If you'd like to keep a few everyday bottlessettings. Choose a region that suits you and map
within easy reach, then wall mounted wine racksout the areas that you would like to visit.
offer a solution. This type of rack is hung on theYou could also visit websites or contact trade
wall, which saves space, and allows you to alwaysbureaus and winery organizations for a list of
have a couple of bottles on display. Often, thesewineries to visit and for upcoming special events.
racks come with built-in stemware holders, so you2. Make reservations. Some wineries offer tasting
can conveniently keep your glasses in the sameby appointment only, so you will want to call
place. Wall wine racks are generally pretty cheapahead of time to let them know. Also make
to buy, at around $40-$50.travel and accommodations before hand because
California is well known for first-class wine andthis period will generally be a busy one for them.
wineries. While they do not have as muchLimit your visits to, at the most, three wineries
romance and mystery as their Europeanper day since there is so much to do and so
counterparts do, they, however, have a vibrancemuch to see. Some visitors make the mistake of
and body to them that is hard to deny.trying to squeeze too much into one day, only to
California, with over 200 days of sunshine and afind out that travel to and from regions can be a
very dependable growing season, is ideal forterribly long affair. You will also want to allow for
cultivating grapes and setting up wineries.time to tour the wineries and participate in annual
For any wine connoisseur, a trip to Californiaevents. That�s going to be a lot of things
� both to witness winemaking and togoing on at the same time, so make sure you
engage in wine tasting � is aaccommodate that into your schedule.
once-in-a-year, if not once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.3. Study your destinations carefully. In order to
If your goal is to visit California for this purpose,make the most out of a visit, try to know as
and to see the yearly festivals, the harvestingmuch as you can about the winery you are
and processing events, then a tour of thevisiting. Having a designated driver helps when
California wineries is sure to delight you. Here aretouring the California area. You will also have to
a few tips to help you make the most out of aconsider using spit buckets and share tasting as
trip to these wineries.needed.
1. Plan ahead. You will need a clear plan on which