Make the most of your California wine trails

The Golden State may be famous for a number of things: its sandy beaches, wild parties and the Golden Gate Bridge, but without a doubt, it would be a sin to visit California without visiting a wine region.

You don’t have to be an wine connoisseur however to enjoy some of California’s best-loved wine trails; in fact, many regions in California have far more on offer than just a few strolls through a vineyard. If you’re thinking about sampling some of the nation’s finest wine, make sure you visit these memorable stop-off points too.

Take a gamble in Mendocino

Located between the southern border of the Sonoma and Napa regions, Mendocino offers a wonderfully isolated escape from the hustle and bustle of modern day life. Here you can sample a tempting range of certified organic wines, with the region’s specialities lying in Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Cabernet Savignon.

When the sun sets on Mendocino however is when it really comes alive, and there is no finer example of decadence than the Sherwood Valley Casino. With so many online alternatives such as JackpotCity available today, it is understandable that people might turn away from traditional casinos. The Sherwood Valley Casino is no ordinary casino however; with regular seasonal events as well as a plethora of table games, slots and more, it promises a little bit of Vegas right in the heart of Northern California.

Go back in time in the Sierra Foothills

Head over to the old mining towns of California and you’ll find the Sierra Foothills, which have developed a reputation for producing vegan wines in the form of Zinfandel, Syrah and Barbera. Whilst you’re visiting, make sure you enquire with the locals about the California Gold Rush of the 1840s – a trip to the ‘Rediscovering Gold’ wine tour will take you back in time to an exciting era where nothing was more precious.

Speed through the Santa Lucia Highlands

Come to Saint Lucia Highlands for the wine, and stay for the racetrack – or at least the saying goes! Located on the Pacific Coast in Monterey County, the highlands are known for producing Pinot Noir grapes, which make for a perfect bottle of Chardonnay.

For something a little more exciting however, this summer promises a heart-stopping season
of racing at the Laguna Seca Raceway. Visit between the months of May and October where you can catch such nail-biting races such as the Continental Tire Monterey Grand Prix, the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion or the Pirelli World Challenge.