The Californian city of San Francisco is situated on North America’s west coast. With its rugged coastline, magnificent icons such as the Golden Gate Bridge, and its world-class wining and dining, it is one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations. Several wine regions are close by, but of these the best known must be the Napa Valley located within easy driving distance from San Francisco and admired the world over for the quality of their wines.

The Californian climate and topography influence viticulture in the region more than soil types, which vary markedly. The climate is largely Mediterranean – dry, sunny and warm. The sea breezes off the Pacific Ocean is often mitigated by the two major mountain ranges, the Coastal Range and Sierra Nevada Range.

California wine – of which the Napa Valley is one of the most well known producers – accounts for over 90% of wine production in North America, and make it the fourth largest wine producer in the world.

The Napa Valley is distinguished by the extraordinary range of appellations and wine styles, which range from rich red wines with soft tannins and intense fruit, to spicy zinfandels and rich creamy chardonnays.

The Napa Valley Wine Region is also a very popular  tourist destination, with accommodation ranging from Victorian bed & breakfast inns to luxurious golf resorts, and significant food and wine festivals occurring throughout the year.

Other wine regions to explore close to San Francisco include Contra Costa County and the Livermore Valley in the Bay area.