A TOUR OF CALIFORNIA UNDER THE RADAR

California has no shortage of sun-kissed vineyards and praiseworthy wine. Images of Napa and Sonoma instinctively come to mind, yet the Golden State is actually a treasure chest of esteemed vineyards rooted in less obvious areas. Among these underdog regions are the Sierra Foothills, Lodi and Contra Costa. Unique in their own right, what they share is a repertoire of old-vine, own-rooted vineyards that unveil a movement towards wine that’s picked at lower Brix (sugar levels/potential alcohol) with gentler handling to achieve supple texture, fruit purity and crunchier acidity. With the appealing price-quality ratio of these regions, both new and veteran winemakers have access to some of the state’s most distinguished sites.

Julie Albin is a US-based wine and spirits journalist, educator and consultant, and former editor-in-chief of Drink Me magazine

Sierra Foothills

After James W Marshall struck gold in 1848, it