Wine

The statistics speak volumes: California is America’s number-one wine producer, producing 81 percent of U.S. wine sales. There are approximately 637,000 acres of wine grapes, making the Golden State the fourth-largest wine producer in the world. Not surprisingly, those endless rows of vines generate amazingly diverse wine tasting experiences—including everything from high-end pairings in the Napa Valley to neighborly barn tastings in Sonoma County to cave tours and winemaker chats from Mendocino County to Temecula. And now, getting your bottles home just got easier: Southwest Airlines now allows passengers departing select West Coast wine country airports to check one case of wine—up to 12 bottles—for free under its “Sip & Ship” program. Start your research here and let your palate be your guide.