A third ‘Somm’ film is in production and features an all-star cast of wine’s most respected figures, including Steven Spurrier, the man responsible for staging the 1976 Judgement of Paris and a long-serving Decanter consultant editor. Respected wine critic Jancis Robinson MW and renowned master sommelier Fred Dame also feature.

Head to South America for world-class sparkling wine and some of the best Italian food outside of Italy. The Southern Hemisphere is world-renowned for its wines from Chile, Argentina, New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa. But Brazil—famous for Ipanema and Copacabana, not malbec and sauvignon blanc—remains a quiet underdog, despite the fact that it’s the fifth-largest wine producer in the Southern Hemisphere (ahead of New Zealand).

"From Gold Rush towns preserved in time to 140-year-old grapevines, the Sierra Foothills area keeps one foot in the 19th century. In this region, known as Gold Country and the Mother Lode, you will uncover rich history, best explored via raft or wine glass."

Eugene is to Portland as Oakland is to San Francisco. It’s less populated, less polished, but rapidly shedding its former bad-boy rap and gaining notoriety as the cooler little brother.

In the 1970s, Beckstoffer Vineyards helped pioneer the rise and success of Cabernet Sauvignon in Napa Valley. And now, with limited space left to grow in the region, they’re trying to repeat history in the red-headed stepchild of Northern California AVAs: Lake County.

One hour north of San Francisco, all of life’s greatest indulgences — wine, food, relaxation, and adventure — can be experienced all at once in Napa Valley, one of the top Wine Country destinations in the world.

“A poem, a stink, a grating noise, a quality of light, a tone, a habit, a nostalgia, a dream.” That’s how John Steinbeck describes the down-at the-heels district at the center of his 1945 novel, Cannery Row. The smells and sounds of the sardine canneries have long disappeared from Ocean View Avenue in Monterey. Those factories now house gift shops, chic wine-tasting rooms and seafood restaurants..."

Winter might just be Napa Valley's best kept secret: Free of crowds and traffic, the off-season also promises steals at Wine Country's hottest luxury hotels.

Sondra Bernstein, proprietor of The Girl & The Fig restaurant on the Sonoma Plaza, was set to have a record year. In addition to the Fig Cafe in Glen Ellen, The Girl & The Fig catering company, Suite D event space, and the Fig Rig food truck, Bernstein had just opened her own wine tasting room. But then the North Bay fires happened, and Berstein’s businesses collectively lost an estimated $250,000 as a result.

“I thought we were done several times,” said James Harder, owner of James Cole Winery off Silverado Trail, who also built his family home on the 11-acre property they purchased in 2000.

You could say that the wine world nearly missed out on Heidi Barrett and her elegant, expertly-balanced cult cabernets.

The Del Dotto family, notorious for their opulent style, caves and barrel tastings, has opened up a third winery in Napa Valley, Piazza Del Dotto Winery and Caves.

With notes of darker fruit and vanilla and smooth, soft tannins, this cab ready to go for the season premiere, but it can also lay down for the long winter ahead, aged until the White Walkers arrive and desperate times call for a trip to the cellar.

Roll Back to Simpler Times at the New Calistoga Motor Lodge & Spa

After the 6.0 earthquake hit Napa on Aug. 24, 2014 at 3:20 a.m., the photo seen around the world was of Trefethen’s historic 1886 winery building leaning four feet to the west and looking like it was going to collapse any minute.

Ridiculous views are just one perk of wine tasting atop Napa Valley's iconic mountain appellations. These wineries promise big, complex wines that benefit from volcanic and sedimentary soils, elevation, and extra vitamin D—and many of them get better with age. Just plan ahead, as all of these tastings are by appointment. (Hint: No crowds.)

Once you finally reach the top, you’re greeted with unparalleled panoramic views of the agricultural valley below, a patchwork quilt made up of the earth-toned hues of growing produce.