In the Land of Wine and Food,
Pat Kuleto 
is one of the West Coast's most sought-after restaurant designers, creating and co-owning such San Francisco institutions as the Fog City Diner, Jardinierre and Postrio. A foodie and an oenophile, in 1992 Kuleto built his own exceptional winery, which is where we caught up with him—at the Kuleto Estate Family Winery, in Napa overlooking Lake Hennessey.
FACT: California boasts an incredible 19 fertile wine regions from the Napa and Sonoma valleys to Temecula, and from the Central Valley to the North Coast. All offer their own twist on wine tours, tasting experiences, and inspired restaurants.
Explore all of California's wine regions here.
Did you know? The Napa Valley Wine Train offers a truly unique way to experience California wine country. Dine, wine taste and soak in the scenery aboard a vintage train, inside a lavishly restored Pullman Dining, Lounge or Vista Dome rail car.
Find out more here. You may recognize Duskie Estes from the Iron Chef kitchen, but she is most at home here in the gardens of MacBryde Farm in
Santa Rosa . An avid farmer and rancher, Duskie is a vital member of California's farm-to-fork movement and a supporter of free-range practices. She sources the majority of the ingredients for the menu of her acclaimed restaurant
zazu , which she owns with her husband and chef, John Stewart, and has been compared to French Laundry.
FACT: California Cuisine, with its focus on local ingredients and its playful attitude toward the fusion of flavors, is a style of cooking pioneered by chef Alice Waters and her restaurant
Chez Panisse in Berkeley.
Did you know? January is California Restaurant Month, a statewide celebration of California cuisine. Taste the best of the Golden State, while savoring the special deals during this delicious event. For more on
California's culinary delights , visit our
events calendar .
One-time Bachelor and heir to a wine-dynasty, Andrew Firestone stands among the vines of
Santa Barbara's oldest estate winery, Firestone Vineyards. Andrew and his wife own
Curtis winery , one of California's first dedicated exclusively to Rhône-style wines.
FACT: The Foxen Canyon Wine Trail is a self-guided tour of some of the most accomplished winemakers in the Santa Ynez Valley. Starting in Los Olivos, the Southern end features great Syrah, Grenache and Viognier, while the climate at the North end of the trail makes for outstanding Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Did you know? California has an outstanding local microbrew movement too. Firestone Pale Ale, Stone Brewery's Arrogant Bastard Ale, and Karl Strauss' Red Trolley Ale are just a few to sample. Check out Southern California's
local beer scene . And don't miss
San Diego's annual Beer Week in November.
After tasting the difference between organic and conventionally farmed grapes, side by side, in a sun-drenched vineyard in 1987, Paul Dolan's entire way of thinking about grape growing changed. Since then, this fourth-generation winemaker has led a revolution of organic, sustainable, biodynamic farming practices that produce some amazing wines. Learn more about Paul and his Mendocino County winery
here .
FACT: Mendocino County has the highest percentage of organic and biodynamic wineries in the United States and is known as
America's Greenest Wine Region™ .
Did you know? Nature lovers can stroll through 47-acres of beautiful, seaside gardens at the Mendocino Coastal Botanical Gardens, the only coastal botanical gardens in the West.
We shot this scene with California Chef Guy Fieri at
Tex Wasabi's in Santa Rosa. Taking an irreverent, playful attitude toward food to an extreme, Guy's flavors don't just fuse, they collide as is evident in this "Rock-n-Roll Sushi BBQ" concept.
Did you know? Los Angeles has always been home to stars, and star chefs. Foodies can find some of the world's most offbeat, whimsical and visionary eateries here including Stefan Richter's L.A. Farm in Santa Monica, The Bazaar by Jose Andres in Beverly Hills, and LudoBites pop-up restaurant concept which has no permanent address.
We threw this beach party at a house in
Malibu , and Giada didn't just attend, she cooked! Everything on the table was prepared by Giada and her staff. Obviously the partygoers had no problem with extra takes.
FACT: Celebrity chefs flock to the San Diego Bay Wine and Food Festival every November. You can buy tickets
here .
Did you know? California's great weather and fertile soil mean just about everything grows here. It's no wonder that
farmer's markets are such a big part of local life. Just about every city and town has colorful weekend markets where you can sample delicious food, great produce, live music and one-of-a-kind local arts and crafts. The Central Valley offers the opportunity to taste your way across one of the most productive farming regions in the world.
Randy Lewis wasn't always a celebrity vintner, applauded by his peers - he used to be an
Indy 500 racecar driver , cheered on by thousands. Now, trading one passion for another, Lewis Cellars makes some of the biggest, boldest Cabernets in California.
FACT: 90% of U.S. wine grapes are grown in California.
Did you know? Every fall, just after the grape harvest, you can participate in a good old-fashioned grape stomp. Wineries across the state host special events during what's known as "The Crush," so roll up your pants and jump in!
Celebrity chef, restaurateur, winemaker and Emmy-award winning Food Network host Michael Chiarello gave us a behind-the-scenes tour of his restaurant
Bottega in Yountville. Michael also makes his own wines at
Chiarello Family Vineyards which surround his St. Helena home.
FACT: Yountville, a tiny town in Napa, boasts the highest concentration of Michelin Stars per capita on the planet. Three stars went to Thomas Keller's
French Laundry and Christopher Koston's The Restaurant at Meadowood.
Did you know? What would wine be, without cheese? California boasts some incredible artisanal cheesemakers including
Cypress Grove Cherve and their famed Humboldt Fog.
