Your Own Wine Encyclopedia Start Free Trial

California — Wine Region Guide

Dajeong Lim M.D.
DipWSET · CMS Advanced Sommelier (Leslie Rudd Award 2024) · FWS · IWS · SWS
Wine educator of PDT Seoul · Editor of YourOwnWineEncyclopedia.com · Last reviewed June 2026

The California maps from Your Own Wine Encyclopedia — every name tag opens a study card. Below, the chapter's own geography, climate and geology notes.

Maps on this page
3 screens from the interactive map
On the map
North Coast — Overview · Napa Valley · Napa Valley Floor (Yountville–Calistoga) · Mayacamas Range (west) · +36 more
Interactive map
Terrain & satellite · every name tag opens a study card
Access
Included with a subscription
Wine Maps — CaliforniaSubscriber
California · Overview
California AVAs. The Central Coast from Monterey to Santa Barbara, with Paso Robles and its sub-AVAs.
Wine Maps — California · Paso RoblesSubscriber
Paso Robles · Templeton Gap
Sub-AVA level. Templeton Gap District — one of eleven Paso Robles sub-AVAs, and the AVAs it nests inside.
Wine Maps — California · NapaSubscriber
Napa · Notable wineries
Notable wineries layer. Opus One · Harlan Estate · Dominus · Stag's Leap Wine Cellars — tap one for its card.

From the encyclopedia — geography, climate & geology

Topography

  • Coast Ranges: Run north to south along the coast; create barriers and gaps for marine influence
  • Valleys: Orientation affects exposure to fog and wind (e.g., east-west oriented valleys funnel marine air)
  • Altitude: Higher-elevation vineyards may be above the fog layer, receiving more sunshine and warmth

Climate

  • Overall climate: Mediterranean-like; relatively dry growing season; dry autumns can extend the growing season → beneficial for cooler regions
  • Pacific Ocean: Major influence; cold water currents reduce coastal temperatures
Read the full California chapter

On the map