California's Best Wine Counties for 2023
California is the nation’s wine garden and wine cellar, but which counties produce the most award-winning reds and whites, host the most wine tours, and are most popular and affordable for wine connoisseurs to visit? Dr. Qun (Kristy) Sun, an assistant professor in the department of viticulture and enology at Fresno State University explains how location influences the wine produced: "The California wine region can be divided into the North Coast, Central Coast, South Coast, and Central Valley. Each region has its unique climate. For example, Napa Valley has a temperate climate with a long growing season. It has warm days to accumulate sugar, color, and aroma in grapes and the cool evening to preserve the acidity. The Central Valley is the largest wine region and produces three-quarters of the state’s grapes. It has a very different climate with hot summers and less rainfall. The vineyards are heavily dependent on irrigation techniques. "
In order to find the best wine counties in California, LawnStarter pored over the data. They compared all 58 counties based on five categories broken down into 18 key metrics. See which Golden State counties earned a gold star in the rankings below. You’ll also find highlights, lowlights, and expert insights on what makes California wines stand out.
An Old Favorite

Step back in time at the oldest wine region in California. Fifth-ranked San Diego’s viticultural history stretches all the way back to the 1700s. A stop at Bernardo Winery, the oldest winery in the region established in 1889, is a must. For a more modern setting, check out Carruth Cellars Wine Garden, where locals can join a wine club while first-time visitors enjoy a flight of five 1-ounce pours to taste for only $20.
Central Coast Stand-outs

Third-ranked San Luis Obispo, the wine region colloquially known as “SLO,” is as popular for its laid-back Pacific Coast lifestyle as it is for its Rhône blends. In Paso Robles, sip on not one but two of the highest-ranking California gold medalists in 2022 — the Red Cuvee and the Majesty — both from the same producer, Silver Hawk Vineyards. There’s plenty to see and do throughout the county, but Hearst Castle is perhaps the area’s most famous landmark.
A magnet for celebrities like Oprah, Jeff Bridges, and, more recently, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Santa Barbara County (No. 4) was named 2021 Wine Region of the Year by “Wine Enthusiast.” The region is also famous for its pinot noir, featured in the cult film “Sideways.” Take a “Sideways” tour of the region’s wineries highlighted in the movie, starting with Sanford and ending with Firestone.
On Cloud Wine in the North Coast

Napa is the Best California Wine County again this year, a foregone conclusion considering Napa Valley is the most recognized U.S. wine region both domestically and internationally.
You won’t go thirsty at the home of the three-Michelin-starred The French Laundry. Napa outnumbers all other California counties in vintners, with nearly 270 more than Sonoma (No. 2) and 840 more than San Luis Obispo (No. 3). What’s more, Napa wines earned the most gold medals over the past four years, and the county’s wineries are the most reviewed (aka the most popular) by consumers.
In St. Helena, enjoy a glass of Hibou Pinot Noir, the highest-scoring 2022 USA Wine Ratings gold medalist from Napa Valley. Stay at Auberge du Soleil, the ultimate wine lover’s retreat featuring vineyard vistas and a spa that treats you to a Cabernet mud body masque. When you’re not sipping on award-winning wine, cycle through the 12.5-mile Vine Trail offering scenic views of wine country.
It’s hard to reference Napa without pairing it with Sonoma, the next most recognizable name in California wine and unsurprisingly our silver medalist. Previously in third place, Sonoma overtook Stanislaus County in our ranking this year, thanks to Sonoma’s unmatched access to wine, numerous awards, and the most events celebrating the county’s amore for vino. Napa might have struck gold for its pinot noir in 2022, but Sonoma County is best known for this style of red — the county is the Golden State’s largest grower of pinot noir. Reds won’t be hard to find here, but if your palate prefers white, try Rodney Strong’s Upshot White Blend. This refreshing 2022 gold medal winner features notes of white peach, apricot, and jasmine. You can check out Sonoma’s many outstanding wineries by bike, by foot, or on horseback — or even via hot-air balloon.
“Dry” Counties
The counties at the bottom of our ranking should come as no surprise — viticulture isn’t a big industry here. Kings County finished last overall, bested by Merced, Colusa, Modoc, and Alpine counties (in that order).
Although these counties ranked poorly across all categories, there are a few bright spots in individual metrics. Modoc’s wineries, for one, earned an above-average consumer rating at No. 22. Merced offers five wine bars for casual sippers not interested in big winery tours. Meanwhile, Alpine County boasts a high number of affordable accommodations for all visitors, oenophiles or otherwise.
These counties might lack their own famous wines, but close proximity to California’s top wine regions is a huge advantage. Merced, for example, lies just south of Stanislaus County (No. 6). Kings shares a border with both Central Region counties Monterey (No. 10) and Fresno (No. 30). Colusa is a short drive — or Uber ride, depending on how much you drink — to Napa, Sonoma, and Lake (No. 12).
The Grape Escape

One day is not enough to explore all of California’s amazing wines — let alone a single county saturated with wineries. If you can swing it, plan at least a three-day tour of clustered counties, and make sure your itinerary includes counties that balance both high-quality wine and (inebriated) visitor-friendliness.
The most tour-friendly counties include some of our top five, such as Sonoma (No. 2) and San Luis Obispo (No. 3), but don’t overlook counties outside of that elite group.
Riverside (No. 7), for example, ranks decently in taste and placed first in Accommodations. Mendocino (No. 8) is another excellent choice, with high marks in Access and Accolades, as well as top-15 rankings in both Entertainment and Accommodations. Placer (No. 21) is a third great option, with top-30 rankings across all categories.
In Case You Also Love Queso
Is there a better companion to wine than cheese? If you’re an oenophile and a turophile, Sonoma (No. 2) and Los Angeles (No. 9) counties can satisfy both cravings at once.
Santa Rosa, in Sonoma County, is our No. 8 Best City for Cheese Lovers. Los Angeles ranks No. 4 while its suburbs, such as Long Beach (No. 12) and Pasadena (No. 23), aren’t far behind.
Don’t go sniffing out cheese in Salinas, though. Although this city is located in Monterey County, our 10th placer and the birthplace of Monterey Jack, it offers jack to queso aficionados. Salinas came in last among the 200 biggest U.S. cities in cheese lover-friendliness.
— For more details on this year's rankings of the Best California Wine Counties, head to LawnStarter.