When you’re in California, you have to go wine tasting. It’s not just because we have great wines here, it’s because there are wineries all up and down the state. No matter where you are, there will be some vines nearby. In the case of San Francisco, those vines are in the Sonoma and Napa Valleys. The closest of them are in Los Carneros.
Los Carneros
My family has descended on San Francisco for the holidays, and we’re all excited about our annual wine tasting day trip. But this holiday season is different from the previous ones in that we have a baby among us.
My nephew, who was born in March, is adorable and lovable, but he doesn’t have as much patience for long car rides as the rest of us do.
Our solution is to find the closest wineries to San Francisco. They happen to be in Los Carneros, an American Viticultural Area (AVA) that spans the southern parts of the Sonoma and Napa Valleys.
Wine Tasting in Los Carneros: Jacuzzi Family Vineyards
We choose to visit the ones in Sonoma Valley, as they’re slightly closer. Just 30 miles north of the city, we find ourselves at Jacuzzi Family Vineyards.
If the name sounds familiar, it’s because the Jacuzzi family, which emigrated to California from the Friuli region of Italy in the early 20th century, is the same family that’s known for the hot tub brand of the same name.
Its members also invented airplane propellers and all kinds of other technologies, but today we’re celebrating their achievements in the oenological realm.
Their stone winery in Los Carneros is big and bright, and during our tasting we work our way through a number of varietals, both Italian and otherwise.
Los Carneros is known for its cool-climate Pinot Noirs, Chardonnays, and sparkling wines, but I fall in love with a particularly pretty Barbera from Mendocino County.
Jacuzzi’s wines are only available for purchase at the winery, so I pick up a bottle before exploring the pretty grounds and giant cellar.
Wine Tasting in Los Carneros: Anaba
Leaving Jacuzzi, we head north on Highway 121 and make our way to Anaba, another winery in Los Carneros.
While the tasting room has only been open for a decade or so, the farmhouse it’s located in has been around for over 100 years.
We settle in at the counter and work our way through a number of Rhone varietals as well as the area’s traditional Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays.
My favorite is a Pinot from Gap’s Crown Vineyard on the Sonoma Coast. I add a bottle to my collection and we pile back into the car for a final winery visit in Los Carneros.
Wine Tasting in Los Carneros: Gloria Ferrer
This time we want bubbles, so we head straight for Gloria Ferrer, which is famous for its sparkling wines.
We sit out on the terrace overlooking the vineyard below, and while my nephew works on his walking skills, the rest of us enjoy a glass of sparkling rose.
Gloria Ferrer is known for having one of the prettiest vineyards in the Sonoma Valley, and even in January—when the vines are devoid of leaves—it’s a beautiful place.
Sipping bubbly on a sunny afternoon in the middle of winter is the perfect end to a day of wine tasting in Los Carneros.
Los Carneros Wineries
Better yet, the drive home is so quick that even the little one can handle it. There may be vineyards all over California, but I’m glad the closest wineries to San Francisco are some of the best.
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Stunning pictures, as always. I don’t drink alcohol, but I’d love to visit even just for the views!
Sophie
xxx
Thanks Sophie! The views are definitely worth a trip!
California looks positively dreamy! I love wine and champagne too!
Jenna x
Yeah, it’s great. Lots of good wine in California!
I love your “annual” wine trip…fun! I’ll have to try this one next summer when visiting the inlaws in SF. Happy 2014!
Yeah, you should! It’s a lot of fun!
My husband and I loved doing wine tours when we lived in CA. So many different varieties and types. Had never heard of Jacuzzi Family Vineyards, but found your post very interesting. It also made me want to take a a wine tasting trip 🙂 Thanks for sharing. Happy travels.
You’re welcome! I hope you can take a wine tasting trip sometime soon!