It’s much harder than you think. To pack everything you’ve ever imagined about California –– the wine, the mountains, the beach, the foods, the bizarre things, the 49ers, the ocean, the bay –– into a single map. But, if nothing else, at least you can pack wine, grapes, mountains, beach and cheese all in one. In a wine map of California.
Unfolding now with the price tag smack down in the middle, it’s impressive given the size of California alone that so many grapes, wineries, lodging and tasting reviews can physically be packaged into a map of this size.
All the wineries north of Mexico and south of Washington state somehow fit into 5 compact, column-sized descriptions with category headings based on grape color. Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc. Gamay, Merlot, Nebbiolo and Pinot Noir. Sangiovese, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc. Syrah and Zinfandel. There’s even a section for “Wineries Not on the Map” leaves no question to the imagination.
The map has slim but sturdy furnishings, the edges and folds of which to last thousands of wine tasting rooms, the most un-formidable dark red stains and many years of responsible drinking use. Looking at mine –– unexposed to fingertips, paw prints, pencil lines or push-pin holes yet –– it hasn’t seen the perils of wine adventure or mis-adventure yet. So many adventures yet to come!
Pro Tip: if you’re shopping at the local souvenir, gift or convenience shop: Save yourself the grief, break down and buy a map of CA.
