Cheers to the season of blooming gardens, warming sun and perfect patio weather. Need a little something to enjoy on said patio? Here are 21 amazing California wines that are sublime for spring.
Carol Shelton Wines Coquille Blanc 2022
Perfect for red drinkers who are looking for something a little lighter come spring, the spiced pears dance across the nose first, followed in short order by honeysuckle. On the palate, there is a full-bodied creaminess and juicy pear yet again, this time paired with light almond notes. $28
Woodenhead 2019 Pinot Noir, Piper Ranch Vineyard, Mendocino Ridge
Hello red fruits! Red raspberries are the most evident first as they perfume the air. Then, expect ripe red cherries to join the party before a touch of minerality comes to play, bringing a hint of spice. $63
Bricoleur 2022 Sauvignon Blanc
It is apropos that the vineyard from which these grapes derive is called Kick Ranch because every sip of this Sauvignon Blanc is a kick in the tastebuds, full of lime, passion fruit and guava. $36
Cast American Blend, Invocation, Dry Creek Valley, 2021
Blueberry pie, anyone? Expect the room to be filled with that bright, comforting aroma upon opening this California wine. Oh, but that is just the start. There are also notes of raspberry and rose petals as the wine is poured. On the nose, there are additional layers of each flavor, but also big bursts of black cherry. $60
Just released to honor spring, this combination of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir is exceptionally elegant with kisses of both pear and citrus in every sip, accentuated by bubbles that tickle the nose and tongue. $19
Kendall-Jackson Grand Reserve Santa Barbara County Chardonnay 2021
Vanila, spice and everything nice! A classic spring option if ever there was one, enjoy every sip of this explosion of tropical fruit and citrus that is perfectly accentuated by both vanilla and just a touch of baking spice. $22
There are Old Vine Zinfandels, and then there is this magical bottle. The estate vineyard that produces these grapes was planted more than 120 years ago, and each vintage honors the complexity of the fruit as well as hand-farming, hand-harvesting that it takes to make Zinfandel an epic spring option for red wine lovers. $55
2016 Frank Family Vineyards Blanc de Blancs
Frank Family sparkling wines only come around once every few years, making them all the more special. This California wine is especially nice this time of year with its kisses of lemon and green apple, both amplified by just the teeniest hint of ginger on the palate. $60
Francis Ford Coppola Reserve Viognier
A Russian River Valley stunner with all the trademarks of the Rhône Valley from which the varietal most famously hails, expect a very silky mouthfeel here and tons of stone fruit. $40
Dutcher Crossing 2022 Winemakers’ Cellar Grenache Rosé
White flowers erupt from the bottle upon uncorking, teasing of the fresh and delicate flavors to come, and they do not disappoint. There are all sorts of yummy things happening here, from apples to orange blossoms to freshly cut grass. $39
Landmark Vineyards 2021 Damaris Reserve Chardonnay
Pale yellow with perfect gold highlights, this bottle – designed by Damaris Deere Ford, both the winery’s late founder and great-great-granddaughter of John Deere – has aromatics of Meyer lemon and quince and dreamy flavors ranging from dried pear and peaches to vanilla and tea. $40
Bright and crispy, there is a gorgeous pop of fruit with this vintage. Given it is a Viognier, it is also ultra-aromatic with a big nose of pineapple, stone fruit and honey. $32
Beringer Vineyards 2022 Knights Valley Mountain Rosé
Lush and fruit-forward, every sip has notes of watermelon candy. They are elevated by ever-so-slight hints of marshmallow and balanced by aromatics of cotton blossom. $40
Alexander Valley Vineyards Gewürz
Short for Gewürztraminer, the floral nose on the bottle is completely intoxicating. Think apple, grapefruit and rose all at once. To the taste, the grapefruit and apple are still certainly there, but there are also clear notes of pear and spice. $16
Etude Winery 2021 Grace Benoist Ranch Carneros Pinot Noir Rosé
Vine-ripened strawberries and fresh peach dominate the palate in this pink pour, tempered by notes of green apple and tart orange that come into play as enjoyed. It is surprisingly creamy at the end as well. $40
Adelaida Picpoul Blanc Anna’s Estate Vineyard 2022
The perfume from this bottle – a combination of lemon, pear and spray from the ocean – is reason enough to pick up a bottle. The fresh guava and passionfruit to the taste? A welcome bonus! $40
Meeker 2021 Gamboge Chardonnay
What is Gamboge? That would be a deep yellow color that comes from a species of tree that grows in Asia, fitting given it is the exact color of this subtly buttery Chard. It also boasts lovely flavors of nectarines, peaches and orange blossom on the nose and to the taste. $25
Lynmar Estate Monastery Chardonnay, 2020
Named to honor the Cistercian monks who first studied the land, surveying it for its ability to grow quality wine, this Chardonnay strays from the buttery characteristics, instead offering a mineral-forward take with lots of stone fruit. $65
A new release, and well worth the wait, enjoy the juxtaposition of clean, crisp citrus, pear and apple as well as the kiss of toasty oak in this balances beauty. $35
Served in a magnum – making it perfect for a pool or patio party or to share with friends – this extra-large take on everyone’s favorite pink drink effortlessly blends passion fruit with citrus, with each flavor coming in rich layers on the lips. $150
J. Lohr Pure Paso Proprietary Red Wine
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah, there are hints of cocoa and dark fruit on the nose, but then it opens into a bright, appetizing celebration of black cherries and buzzy dark fruit to the sip. $27