Sauvignon Blanc is an incredible match for a variety of food. It's a favorite with shellfish and seafood. Sauvignon Blanc is known as a refreshing dry wine that has a great minerality, aromas and tastes of herbs and grasses and a nice crisp finish. Across the world, including in France, the wine is hardly ever aged in oak, with the winemakers preferring to exhibit the bright and fruity characteristics of the grape. it is known for its refreshing crispness, which is due to its high levels of acidity and low amounts of sugar. Closer to home, we find delicious sauvignon blanc from areas such as Happy Canyon where it gets plenty of heat for the winemakers to gain the exact ripeness they desire.

Chardonnay is the world's most popular white wine, and for good reason. Chardonnay can be crisp and clean, or rich and oaky. There's something for everyone, which is why Chardonnay is so popular. Chardonnay can taste different, depending on where it grows and how it's made. Cooler climate Chardonnay typically has more acidity, citrus flavors and mineral character, and is lighter-bodied, lighter in alcohol and elegant. Warm-climate Chardonnay typically has less acidity, with opulent, ripe fruit flavors from yellow peach to papaya and pineapple. Wines are usually fuller-bodied with higher alcohol. Our winemakers on the Central Coast typically make their Chardonnay in the cooler climate style. However, their amazing talent and the varied climate allows them to craft chardonnay in a wide variety of flavors and textures.

Pinot Noir is considered by many to be the world's greatest varietal and our local wineries make some of the best you will find. Plus, it's a highly versatile food wine. For these reasons you will see a commitment to this varietal on our list. Typically, Pinot Noir is dry, light - to medium - bodied, with bright acidity and silky tannins. The best Pinot Noir has complex flavors that include cherry, raspberry, mushroom and forest floor, plus vanilla and baking spice when aged in French oak. Pinot Noir wine taste varies based on climate and producer style. Cooler climates produce more delicate and light-bodied Pinot Noir. Warmer climates produce riper and fuller-bodied Pinot Noirs with higher alcohol. Pinot Noirs from the Central Coast, Napa, Sonoma and Oregon offer an endless array of styles and flavors, and have proved able to stand with the world's best.

Syrah is typically bold and full-bodied, with aromatic notes of smoke, black fruit and pepper spice. It has a range of flavors, from smoke, bacon, herbs, red and black fruits, white and black pepper, to floral violet notes. Stylistically, it can be round and fruity, or dense and tannic. Our neighbors make outstanding syrah with some top-quality examples coming from as close as Ballard Canyon as well as Ojai and Paso Robles.

Cabernet Sauvignon is the dominant varietal in many of the world's greatest wines, and is often supplemented with small amounts of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. Known for dark fruit and firm tannins, Cabernet Sauvignon has what it takes to age very well. Many California Cabernets focus on structure and balance in an attempt to emulate the style of Left Bank Bordeaux. Other producers choose to embrace the warmth of our state, making ripe, concentrated wines that are certainly more crowd-pleasing, but perhaps not as ageworthy. Regardless of style, California has proved itself to be one of the best places in the world for Cabernet Sauvignon.