Northern California’s Secret Wine Country

Boonville, the hidden gem of California's wine country
Unlike its ever-popular cousins to the south, Sonoma and Napa, Boonville in Anderson Valley, California, doesn’t have tour buses chugging between wineries, swanky spas or the latest “it” restaurant buzzing with clamoring crowds. Instead, the person pouring could very well be the winemaker.

Northern California’s Secret Wine Country -- FOX News

Like anything worthwhile, the tiny Northern California town of Boonville takes some effort to reach. Nestled among rolling hills and vineyards, it’s the hub of the 25-mile Anderson Valley in southern Mendocino County, accessible by a twisty, 30-mile ribbon of two-lane highway that runs through its main drag. Dotted with a single hotel and a handful of restaurants and shops, Boonville’s town center – if you could call it that – is easy to miss.

However, instead of heading west for Mendocino’s rugged coastline, more visitors these days are stopping to experience the bucolic beauty of Boonville and its environs. A few vestiges of the former industries – sheep, apple farming and lumber – still linger, but nowadays, it’s all about grapes, with more than 70 wineries in Anderson Valley alone.

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My Comment: There's a lot of wineries up there .... and I suspect that they sell their wine at a better price.

Take A Trip To A California Wine Ghetto

The Lompoc wine ghetto is a loose collection of wineries located in Lompoc, CA. You won't find rolling hills, lavish estates with acres of beautiful vines here. What you will find are warehouses that represent more than 20 local brands and world-class wine.

Prices For California Central Coast Wines Are Increasing

Price Pressures Pop The Cork On Cost Of Central Coast Wine -- San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo County labels are poised to become more expensive

Wine connoisseurs, take note: Central Coast vintages will become more expensive because of a grape shortage, experts said Thursday at the 18th annual Central Coast Insights wine symposium.

The principles of supply and demand were highlighted throughout the symposium as industry experts discussed the future of the Central Coast wine industry.

Wine grapes are San Luis Obispo County’s top crop, earning $173 million in sales in 2010, according to the latest annual crop report by the county Agricultural Commissioner’s Office.

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My Comment: I prefer Napa and Sonoma wine, but the Central Coast does have a good number of fine wineries.

California Winery Owned And Operated By Veterans

On the Job Hunt: California Winery Owned and Operated by Veterans -- FOX News

At the Lavish Laines tasting room in Livermore, California, each glass of wine poured represents the achievement of a remarkable winery. It's run not by experienced winemakers, but by veteran soldiers, marines and airmen: ex-military who couldn't find a job, until they found Josh Laine.

"It's all about providing for our own, and that's what I want to do- make sure the veterans are taken care of," says Laine.

The 26-year old former Marine says after he got into California winemaking several years ago, he recruited some of his Marine Corps buddies to help him out with the "grunt work," everything from planting grapes to web design. He soon discovered veterans make terrific vintners.

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My Comment: This is a cause that I can drink to.

California’s Other Wine Growing Regions

Head down the coast to San Luis Obispo to discover scores of small family-run wineries. (Lee Foster/LPI)

California’s Other Wine Countries -- BBC

Everybody knows the justifiably famous Napa and Sonoma Valleys, but if you are looking to take the next step, try venturing into California’s less-famous wine regions. Here, family-owned wineries welcome novices and experts alike, and tasting fees are low to non-existent. Most of these well-hidden wine countries are near the San Francisco Bay area and are perfect for weekend escapes.

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My Comment: Napa and Sonoma have great wines .... but the other regions also shine .... and at a cheaper price.