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Sonoma County: A wise choice to start Santa Barbara County: The region ben-
exploring rosé wines in the Golden State is efits from its topography – mountain
the Sonoma Coast, which, with its cool ranges and valleys where cooler evenings
nights, produces crisp, fruity, food- contribute to more nuanced wines, includ-
friendly rosés with good acidity levels, of- ing rosés made from Pinot Noir and Rhone
ten made from Pinot Noir. Other appella- varieties. Noted appellations include Sta.
tions with usually tasty, stylish wines Rita Hills, Santa Maria Valley, Ballard
include Russian River Valley, Petaluma Canyon, and Santa Ynez Valley. With the
Gap, Alexander Valley, and Carneros. cooler climate, alcohol levels typically
Names to try include Martinelli, Banshee range from 12.5% to 14.0%. Consistent pro-
Wines, Gundlach Bundschu, and Sonoma- ducers include Beckmen, Stolpman, Drag-
Cutrer. onette, Foxen, Brander, and Brewer-Clifton.
Napa Valley: Napa is a good source for Central Coast: This AVA encompasses a
rosés from Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot vast area with diverse climates and a wide
Noir, and Merlot. Grapes are often sourced range of wine styles. Notable subregions in-
from multiple vineyards in the larger ap- clude Monterey, the Santa Cruz Mountains,
pellation (Napa Valley) and blended. Some and San Luis Obispo, each with distinctive
estate wines can be found from Ruther- styles. Wines from the coastal areas have
ford, Oakville, Calistoga, Carneros, and lower alcohol levels (12.5-14.0%). The warmer
Lake County. Alcohols are 13.5-14.5%. Good inland areas generate fruitier wines with
choices: Alpha Omega Winery, Chandon, higher alcohol (14.0-16.0%). Wines with the
Domaine Carneros, Louis M. Martini Win- Central Coast appellation are usually made
ery, Peju Winery, Raymond Vineyards, from blends of wines from different vineyards
Round Pond Estate, and V. Sattui Winery. in the region to achieve a winemaker’s style.
Paso Robles: The region has a Oregon
warmer climate than other areas in
Southern California. This creates higher The best producers in Oregon are scat-
sugar levels in its grapes and higher al- tered on the hillsides of the Willamette Valley
cohol content. The region’s bigger style and the flatter expanses in the Southern Ore-
red wines are made from Zinfandel, gon appellation. With its cool climate, the
Cabernet Sauvignon, and Rhône blends Willamette Valley is known for its Pinot Noir-
(Syrah, Grenache, Mour vèdre). Its rosés based rosés. The styles vary based on the ap-
follow in style, with deeper fruit and pellations but generally have good acid struc-
higher alcohol levels (14.5 to 16.0%). The tures and distinct red fruit characteristics
wines are a good match for picnic and (strawberry, red cherries, pomegranate).
BBQ fare. Favorites in any vintage in- Look for wines from Domaine Drouhin, Stoller,
clude Tablas Creek Vineyard Patelin de K&M Wines, Chehalem Winery, Rain Dance
Tablas Rosé, a rosé blend in the tradi- Vineyards, and Fullerton Wines. Southern
tion of Provence ($28), DAOU Discovery Oregon has a warmer climate, and its
Rosé, Cass Oasis Rosé, Justin, and Vina blends include Rhone varietals with more
Robles Rosé. prominent, fruitier styles.
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