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In 2026, the wine world marks the 50th anniversary of the legendary Judgment of Paris, the tasting that forever altered perceptions of New World wine. It was there that Chateau Montelena’s Chardonnay and Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars’ Cabernet Sauvignon outperformed their French counterparts, proving that truly great wines were not the sole preserve of Europe.
Fittingly, this anniversary year has been a triumphant one for contemporary California as well. The Golden State claimed victory in the public vote of the Wine Travel Awards 2025-2026 in the Region of the Year category, while the California Wine Institute Capstone Programme received top honours in the Education in Enotourism category. For those contemplating a journey west, there could scarcely be a better moment to turn aspiration into reality.
California long ago outgrew the definition of simply being America’s leading wine state. It is, rather, a continent of terroirs unto itself: more than a hundred AVAs, the cool Pacific fogs of Sonoma, the century-old vines of Lodi, the volcanic slopes of Napa Valley and the sun-drenched valleys of the south. It was here that modern American winemaking emerged, and where the freedom to experiment became every bit as important as respect for tradition.
For wine travellers, California’s greatest appeal lies in its extraordinary diversity. In a single journey, one can wander through historic châteaux, stroll among culinary gardens, discover vineyards planted more than a century ago and visit estates that altered the course of wine history.
Of course, no single trip can fully encompass California. Yet a route stretching from historic Temecula to the iconic estates of Napa Valley, from the gardens of Kendall-Jackson to the vineyards once cultivated by Jack London himself, reveals an essential truth: California does not merely produce great wines. It continues to create new stories that invite visitors back time and again.
Our thanks to Anna Peker, representative of the California Wine Institute in Ukraine, for her valuable guidance in developing this editorial itinerary.
While Napa and Sonoma have long entered the canon of wine travel, Temecula remains one of California’s most rewarding discoveries. At the heart of the valley lies Bella Vista Winery, a historic estate surrounded by rolling vineyards and pastoral scenery.
Visitors are welcomed into a relaxed rural setting that captures the charm of Southern California wine country. Particular attention should be paid to the winery’s small-lot red wines, especially its Malbec, which reflects the warmth and personality of the region’s climate. For wine travellers, Bella Vista also serves as an ideal gateway to the wider Temecula Valley, where dozens of wineries, restaurants and resorts lie only minutes apart.
Few wine destinations in California so seamlessly unite viticulture, gastronomy and horticulture as Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate & Gardens.
The estate’s celebrated culinary gardens remain its defining attraction. Dozens of varieties of herbs, vegetables and edible flowers are cultivated here specifically for tasting and pairing experiences. Nowhere is the farm-to-table philosophy expressed more convincingly. Guests can encounter the ingredients destined for their next food-and-wine pairing simply by strolling through the grounds.
Combined with vineyard experiences, educational programmes and thoughtfully curated gastronomic tastings, the estate offers one of Sonoma County’s most engaging visitor experiences.
Some wineries produce great wines. Others change history.
Chateau Montelena belongs firmly to the latter category. It was here that the Chardonnay which triumphed at the 1976 Judgment of Paris was born, helping to reshape the global wine landscape.
Today, visitors arrive not only for the wines but also for the estate itself. The iconic stone château, serene lake and Chinese-inspired garden have become among the most photographed landmarks in Napa Valley. Few places communicate the significance of California’s wine story so vividly.
It is difficult to imagine modern Napa Valley without Robert Mondavi Winery.
More than any other individual, Robert Mondavi helped transform California wine into a global brand and established the foundations of contemporary American wine culture. A visit offers more than an opportunity to taste benchmark wines; it is a chance to stand where a new chapter in the history of wine was written.
For anyone seeking to understand how Napa became Napa, this remains an essential pilgrimage.
If Chateau Montelena embodies history, Opus One represents California’s relentless pursuit of excellence.
The celebrated partnership between the Mondavi family and Château Mouton Rothschild remains one of the most successful collaborations between the Old World and the New. Elegant contemporary architecture, meticulous hospitality and wines that have become prized collectors’ items place Opus One among the most prestigious wine destinations in the United States.
A visit here offers a compelling glimpse into the heights that California wine can achieve.
For travellers whose passions extend beyond wine into literature, Jack London Vineyard holds a special appeal.
Located within the landscapes once owned and cultivated by the celebrated American author, the vineyard preserves an important connection to California’s cultural history. Today, wines bearing the Jack London name are produced by Kenwood Vineyards, while nearby attractions include the renowned Jack London State Historic Park.
The experience offers a rare opportunity to combine wine tourism with a journey into the world of The Call of the Wild and The Sea-Wolf, amid landscapes that once inspired their creator.
As Napa Valley’s oldest continuously operating winery, Beringer Vineyards offers an unrivalled window into the region’s golden age.
The historic Rhine House, 19th-century cellars and beautifully maintained gardens create an atmosphere that rivals the wines themselves as a reason to visit. It is here, perhaps more than anywhere else in Napa Valley, that one gains a true appreciation for the depth and longevity of California’s winemaking heritage.
A visit to Beringer serves as a reminder that while California’s wine story is often associated with innovation, its roots run remarkably deep.
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