Those with tasting rooms that are open to the public without an appointment may only accept guests on specific days of the week wineries with food pairings almost exclusively require appointments for those experiences, so please make reservations far in advance. Sparkling wine producers whose bubblies are well below 14% alcohol also made the list, but some of their still wines are slightly above the 14 mark. You’ll also find some vintners known for balance excluded, such as Benziger (several single-vineyard wines above 14%), Inman Family and Ridge (eight zinfandels and three whites above the cut-off). In some cases, we’ve included wineries that produce primarily low-alcohol wines but also make one or two bottlings at or just above 14%-those that make wines from notoriously ripe grapes, such as zinfandel, barbera, sangiovese or petite sirah, for example. The results are not surprising, considering the ocean influences of cooler-climate Sonoma, where myriad grape varieties thrive, and Napa’s warmer inland locale, where powerhouse cabernets remain the focus. Of the 38 wineries included, 76% are located in Sonoma and 24% in Napa–the latter of which includes four sparkling wine producers. In Europe where wine regions are mostly in cooler climates, lower alcohol is considered 13% or below, but in Northern California’s sun-drenched inland appellations, making red wines with those alcohol levels has become less common in the last three decades (though there are newcomer low-alcohol advocates), so we set the cut-off at under 14 alcohol-by-volume. The traditional wine country tasting-route map format has been retooled to pinpoint wineries in Napa and Sonoma counties that produce wines with moderate alcohol levels (14% and under), keen balance, elegance and host guests to tastings, typically by appointment. Why take on such a project? We’ve never seen a California wine country map for visitors based on wine style, and interest in lighter wines is becoming more prevalent in wine country, as savvy visitors grow to appreciate the food-friendly charms of elegant wines that emphasize fruit and acidity over tannin and alcohol. Because Jordan has been making balanced wines for 40 years, we’ve watched many wineries come and go-and the trend of high-alcohol wines rise-so we’ve put together a map showcasing the best wineries to visit in Napa and Sonoma if you’re seeking elegant wines with low alcohol. Enter the first official Napa and Sonoma Wines with Low Alcohol Tasting Map, now in its third edition in 2021. Some include details on amenities, such as food pairings, picnic grounds and wifi, but very little information about the wines produced. Each is organized by geographic region, offering tourists a convenient, vinous travel guide to Napa and Sonoma wineries. California wine country has its share of Sonoma and Napa winery maps.
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