Summer/Fall 2015

For over 20 years, Touring & Tasting has been the Premier Guide to Wine Country. You can always rely on us to show you the way in both our magazine and our website.

Contents

20 Splendid Blends From Paso Robles

The most splendid blends of Paso Robles range from traditional Rhône and Bordeaux varietals to many non-traditional blends that make our palates stand up and take notice

3 Stunning Wine Destinations

For this story, we scoured the entire United States, simply looking at wine destinations. We wanted to find three spots that may not readily come to mind, but three definite stunners. We found what we were looking for in Traverse City, Michigan; San Francisco, California; and Loudoun County, Virginia.

A Taste of What's New in Loudoun Wine Country

Nestled between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Potomac River, Loudoun County, Virginia just keeps getting better.

Close-Up: El Dorado County

Just 40 miles east of Sacramento, El Dorado County is located in the breathtaking Sierra Foothills in the heart of California’s Gold Country.

Close-Up: Leavenworth, WA

Just two hours east of Seattle, Leavenworth provides its visitors with Bavarian charm and Northwestern hospitality.

Come Out and Play in San Luis Obispo County

If you toured the entire nation, you wouldn’t find a place like California’s San Luis Obispo (SLO) County.

Exploring the AVAs of Santa Barbara County

Widely known as a land blessed with sunshine and coastal breezes, Santa Barbara Wine Country is actually quite diverse, with a wide range of mircoclimates and soils.

Get Happy in SLO

In the idyllic city of San Luis Obispo, relaxation and rejuvenation can be found all around – from bustling markets to the great outdoors.

Go Classic California in Pismo Beach

Exit Highway 101, kick off your shoes, and step into classic California.

Kentucky The Roots of American Wine

In 1798, Swiss-born Winemaker Jean-Jacques Dufour arrived in Kentucky on a mission.

Lake County Wines, An Elevated Perspective

Home to California’s largest natural freshwater lake, Clear Lake, the majestic dormant volcano, Mount Konocti, and an abundance of fresh water lakes, rivers, and wildlife, Lake County, California, is an exciting wine region, distinguished by its high elevation, diverse soils, clean air, and sustainable farming practices.

Lodi's Legendary Vines

With a grape-growing history that dates back more than 100 years, the Lodi Appellation is home to nearly 80 wineries and around 100,000 acres of premium winegrapes.

Napa Valley's Standout Tasting Rooms: Part Three

In our previous two issues, we’ve introduced you to 25 of Napa Valley’s more than 500 wineries offering outstanding tasting experiences. We only tapped the surface!

Pacific Northwest Pairings

Situated in the Cascade Mountain Range, Oregon and Washington are blessed with fertile soils that make the region a top producer of apples, mushrooms, berries, peaches, and winegrapes.

SLO Wine Country Going Coastal

San Luis Obispo (SLO) Wine Country boasts world-class wines from grapes grown just five miles from the Pacific Ocean.

Tapping Into San Francisco's Tri-Valley Beer Trail

From Dublin to Livermore to Danville to Pleasanton, it seems like everyone in San Francisco’s Tri-Valley is getting into good craft beer.

Taste Synergy in Traverse City

<p> If you savor the pure art of dining—the pleasures of inhaling and sampling dish after flavorful dish of creative cuisine paired with wine after aromatic wine—take your palate to Traverse City, Michigan.</p>

The Drive For Quality In Livermore Valley

After centuries of making significant contributions to America’s wine industry, the Livermore Valley is at last being recognized for its potential as a wine region, producing top-quality wines at very approachable prices.

The Treasures of Gold Country

Tucked away in the folded foothills of the Sierra Nevada, California’s Gold Country is an unforgettable destination where the state’s past, present, and future come together.

Tour Journal: Amador County

Located about 45 miles southeast of Sacramento, this scenic county at the heart of Gold Country offers great wines, fabulous food, charming small towns, and a warm, welcoming attitude.

Tour Journal: Calaveras County, California

Until recently, the only thing I knew about Calaveras County was there’s a short story written by Mark Twain with frogs and Calaveras in the title. I had no idea how beautiful and rustic it is.

Unforgettable! The Napa Valley Wine Train

The Wine Train is made up of a fascinating string of beautiful antique rail cars, each with its own story to tell.

Warm, Welcoming Sonoma County

Sonoma County is a dog and wine lover’s paradise. Not only does it boast more than 55 miles of rugged Pacific Ocean coastline, giant redwoods, statuesque mountains, winding rivers, and fertile valleys, it is home to more than 400 wineries, more than half of which are dog friendly.