View on Suisun Valley © Joanne & Tony DiBona Photography
California is home to so many wineries and wine-tasting experiences, one could spend years discovering them all—which would be a delightful assignment, indeed!
One particular under-the-radar wine destination is the Suisun Valley, a remarkable wine region separated from Napa Valley by only an invisible county line. Small and pastoral, dotted with family farms, Suisun shares a similar climate with Napa. A wide variety of grape varietals thrive in the region, thanks to warm days and cool nights.
Rustic Charm, Wooden Valley WInery ©Tony DiBona
Located just 20 miles from the town of Napa, Suisun offers its own unique experience. There’s a good reason why the region’s tourism slogan reads: uncomplicated, uncontested, unspoiled. Wineries here are family-owned and operated, with casual and welcoming tasting rooms. It’s an agriculturally focused region, which makes the visitor experience even more unique and refreshing. Surrounded by beautiful views of the nearby mountains, you can relax and discover quaint places to visit while you sample the delicious wines. Note: If you are a lover of Petite Sirah, which grows exceptionally well in the richer soils of the Suisun Valley, you’ve got a special treat in store!
Enjoying a lovely winetasting event at the lovely Caymus winery, which will open a Suisun tasting room in Fall, 2021.
© Joanne & Tony DiBona Photography
In addition to exceptional wine tasting at a reasonable cost, you can also explore the quaint markets, antique stores, and boutiques in the area, as well as the historic and picturesque town of Fairfield (home of the famous Jelly Belly Candy Company where you can watch jelly beans being made from scratch,as well as the Travis Air Force Base, built east of town in 1942). The region’s culinary options reflect the farm-to-table philosophy prevalent throughout the region. From simple, down-home meals in rustic eateries to 5-star cuisine, you’ll find something for every palate (including award-winning craft beer breweries).
Since a photo is worth 1,000 words, we invite you to take a closer look at this delightful California wine region. Enjoy our USATODAY 10BEST photo essay on the region, as well as all the photos we captured during our visit on our SUISUN VALLEY PHOTOGRAPHY page. Cheers and happy travels!
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