As the world’s fourth-leading wine producer, California truly is the Golden State when it comes to wine. Vineyards stretch from cooler coastal valleys to inland hillsides, where warm sunshine and cool evening air help grapes develop the balance and flavour that make California wines so distinctive. So much diversity in terroir means there’s a perfect place to grow nearly every kind of grape. In fact, you’ll find more than 100 varieties across the state, giving winemakers the opportunity to create complex varietals and unique, expressive blends.

To understand California wine you must first grasp the sheer size and variety of the region. Covering a greater area than the whole of Italy, this single state is the world’s fourth-largest wine producer. Exploring California’s wine regions is akin to discovering an entirely new country, with almost 250,000ha of vines, 110 grape varieties and 139 distinct appellations.

Driving down Highway 101, past oak-studded hillsides, green valleys and rugged coastal cliffs, it’s not hard to see how California’s winegrowers can produce such a range of wines – from bold Cabernet Sauvignon and earthy Syrah to delicate Pinot Noir or zesty Chardonnay. Its dramatic and diverse landscape was shaped by a series seismic shifts that took place over 100 million years ago. Ocean floors were uplifted, volcanos erupted and the land crumpled into mountains ranges, creating over 2,000 soil types and a myriad of microclimates.

Vast mountain areas such as Central Coast Ranges and Sierra Nevada punctuate the length of the state, flanking its famous valleys and sheltering them from extreme temperatures. For many appellations, Santa Barbara in particular, the valleys act as airways, breathing cool ocean fog and breezes into warm inland areas, resulting in a deliciously long growing season for optimum grape ripening.