Fun Fact One: The second Saturday is all about drinking pink as it marks National Rosé Day in the United States.
Fun Fact Two: Considered by many as the oldest wine known to man – it dates back to at least 1550 B.C. – rosé may be made from several types of grapes and gets it color from the time the grape skins are left in contact with the juice.
Fun Fact Three: There are thousands of award-winning rosés right here in California, each worthy of tasting in celebration of this epically important holiday. Here are 30 California wines made from varietals that run the gamut, each worthy of celebrating all month long.
Halter Ranch NV Effervescent Rosé
Tickle the nose and the tastebuds with this effervescent elixir. It opens with raspberry preserves and citrus on the nose, and then to the sip bursts with pomegranate, blood orange and a wee bit of ripe pear. $45
2022 Frank Family Vineyards Leslie Rosé
While it is coral in appearance, this California wine has aromatics of bright orange blossoms and guava. Upon tasting, enjoy wild summer strawberries and a bright acidity. $50
Jeff Cohn Cellars 2017 Iris Brut Rosé
Say yes-way to this bubbly take on rosé. A blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre, it is named for Cohn’s mother and opens with stone fruit and white cherries. To the taste, there are bold notes of strawberry and cherry and a surprisingly creamy, long finish. $60
VML Winery 2021 Rose of Pinot Noir
This should stand for “Very Much Loved” because this Russian River Valley rosé made from Pinot Noir is an all-around crowd-pleaser. It opens with super-fragrant white flower petals on the nose, and to the taste things get zesty and fun with strawberry candy, lemongrass, lime and pineapple. $29
Truett Hurst Winery 2021 Salmon Run Rosé
Upon opening, do not miss the fragrance of cotton candy. It is intoxicatingly yummy. When tasting this California wine, keep taking in the sweet aromatics while allowing a delicate symphony of tart cherry, strawberry and raspberry to dance across the palate. $29
While this Sebastopol stunner is best-known for its Pinot Noirs, do not sleep on this pink potion. It opens with blooming floral notes but then transitions to notes of lychee fruit, stone and orange blossom. Oh, but that is not all. As it is enjoyed, layers of white cranberry, tart orange and cherry cordial come to play as well. $32
2022 Alma Rosa Vin Gris of Pinot Noir
Upon uncorking, this pretty pink patio pour offers notes of stone fruit, white peach in particular, as well as citrus and orange blossoms. To the taste, these flavors are still present, but joined at the party with watermelon, lime and a vibrant salinity. It also stands up to ice if outside in the heat this summer. $38
A big blend – this California wine is made with Grenache, Cinsault, Tempranillo, Syrah and Mourvèdre – this Temecula varietal is a gold medal winner for its combination of watermelon and tangerine aromatics with honey, orange and strawberry notes on the palate. $34
Midnight Cellars 2022 Luna Rosé
A perfect expression of New World winemaking, Luna is made with Zinfandel and Grenache grapes aged in stainless steel for five months. The resulting flavors present first a floral but then open to surprisingly rich peach and pear with a touch of pineapple. $29
Peltzer Family Cellars Syrah Rosé
Crisp, floral and dry, this ultra-light pink perfect pour for laying by (or in) the pool is clearly inspired by Provence-style winemaking. There is a touch of apple and some really interesting notes of rose water and raspberry here that will have drinkers coming back for more. $40
Hook and Ladder 2022 Rosé of Pinot Noir
Made from the best fruit across three vineyards in and around Santa Rosa, there is a beautiful burst of cherry vanilla to this wine. To the taste, it remains, but it is combined with faint note of whipped cream and watermelon. $28
Saini Vineyards 2022 Valentina Marie Rosé
Such a fabulous fruity fragrance! Honestly, the aromatics of ruby red grapefruit, mango and berries are intoxicating enough, but when combined with the flavor profile – delicate notes of strawberry – this varietal becomes over-the-top tremendous. $27
Bel Vino Winery Provence Rosé, California
Made in the classic French style, this rosé is a celebration of floral and tropical aromas on the nose. When enjoyed, flavors of passion fruit surprise the palate, followed by guava and other berries. $25.95
J Vineyards & Winery Brut Rosé, Non-Vintage
This tangerine dream has such fine bubbles that they sneak into the nose and onto the lips in the most seductive of ways. Certainly, strawberry is present here, but it is the boysenberry that truly sets it apart, a rarity in any pink-hued drink, sparkling or not. $45
2020 Roth Reserve Rosé of Malbec
Enjoy this one chilled, on ice or even as a spritzer or sangria. The notes of strawberry and rose petal practically leap out of the glass of this California wine, and the acidity will cut through even the hottest day to refresh offering crisp flavors of guava and melon in every taste. $34
2022 Rosé of Grenache Danza del Sol Winery
This vibrant vintage offers pops of peach at every turn. Even the bottle, when held up to the light, shows as peach. To ensure the flavor does not go overboard, it is nicely balanced with subtle pink grapefruit and lemon, both giving some acid. $37
Lynmar Estate Sparkling Rosé, Sonoma County
This light, bright sparkling rosé opens with aromas of spun sugar but not quite to the level of cotton candy. Once tasted, that flavor gives way to stone fruit, melon, a touch of tangerine and lively rip strawberry. $45
Francis Ford Coppola Diamond Collection Prosecco Rosé
A Prosecco-style rosé? Yes, thanks to Coppola (also, thanks for “The Godfather,” sir!) himself and his vision. It dazzles with delicate bubbles and floral aromas of blooming citrus blossoms. The crisp, light palate is full of red cherries and bright citrus fruit. Cheers to the sexy bottle as well! $16
La Crema Russian River Valley Brut Rosé
An effervescent expression of the varietal at its best, this California wine is unique as there are clear notes of white summer flower and lemon meringue in addition to the more common notes of strawberry and apple. Note: it is limited edition so get it before it is gone! $45
Ehlers Estate 2022 Sylviane Rosé
While Crema offers white flowers, this beauty is a burst of yellow flowers like daisies, coupled with zesty orange peels. To the taste, it smooths out without losing its acidity with flavors of raspberry and other red berries. $38
Colagrossi 2021 Rosé di Sangiovese
Made from 100 percent Sangiovese grown in Mendocino County, this rosé is dry by design and really stands up to summer heat. There is an exceptionally refreshing element to it with cooling notes of strawberry and ripe melon. $28
Mill Creek 2022 Santa Rosa Rosé of Merlot
This 100 percent stainless steel-fermented rosé has just the right amount of acid. Berries, predominantly raspberries, are clearly present but also some juicy white peach and the zest of a lime peel, which provides beautiful balance. $36
Crisp and refreshing, pour a big glass of this beauty made from Mourvèdre and Grenache and get on that pool float! It is light and dry with just the right amount of fruit flavor, with the biggest treat being the slight notes of strawberry shortcake in every sip. $32
Moshin Vineyards 2022 Rosé of Pinot Noir
A refreshing rosé made from 100 percent Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, there is what is likely a tough-to-pinpoint note on the nose. Upon investigation, it is rosemary mixed with fruit salad. Seems odd, but really works! It gets tangier on the taste with a very fun touch of what seems like rhubarb pie. $32
Dutton 2022 Rosé of Pinot Noir Blushing Sisters
This California wine is a rose color that presents a medley of aromas, peach, melon and fresh strawberry and raspberry. The aromas in the glass follow on the palate. White peach flesh and strawberry take the lead as pink grapefruit and cantaloupe follow behind with lychee nut and light mineral complexities. This is a bright, crisp rosé that will hold up to any backyard party or pool side chat. $30
Is that…lemon shortbread? Why yes, yes, it is! The surprising sweet-yet-tart and slightly bready notes are so freaking cool in this wine. Oh, but that is not all. The wine also bursts with what tastes like cherry-limeade and maybe even watermelon Jolly Rancher without being too sweet. $48
Chapin Family Vineyards Rosella
This estate-grown blushing beauty is made from 100 percent Montepulciano grapes. As a result, it has that gorgeous dry zip with bright grapefruit throughout kissed by a hint of red berry and other members of the citrus family. $29
2022 Gianna May Rosé Russian River Vineyards
Named to honor the winemaker’s daughter, this stainless steel-made wine is the perfect combination of strawberry Sweet Tarts and raspberry jam. It is tempered with ever-so-slight notes of raspberry tea, which gives it a lovely depth. $35
Summer is meant to be celebrated, which makes this pink bottle of bubbles extra special. It was made to honor the birth of co-founders Mark and Elizabeth Hanson’s first granddaughter, Isla. It tickles the nose with fragrant ripe strawberries before opening up on the palate with layers of cherry and orange blossom before finishing crispy and clean. $60
2016 Brut Rosé, Ram’s Gate Estate
Aged to perfection and so lightly pink it is almost translucent, the toasted brioche is the first note open opening, and it is sweetened with bits of yummy strawberry and heightened by the bubbles. This California manages to stay soft on the palate, almost offering a velvety mouthfeel, but without losing the zing of acid, which offers a perfect punch in every sip. $55