CALIFORNIA WINE GUIDE:

Did you move to California for the wine? Let’s learn more about wine county today!

THE HUNT FOR THE TWO MYTHICAL WINES AND DARE I SAY — MERLOT

There are two mythical wines in California that will make you feel like Indiana Jones trying to find them.

Sans the giant boulder chasing you.

You will hear a wine pourer talk about them, but admit they have never tasted one.

There will be tastings everywhere in wine country, but these gems are rare, and so is their price.

But if you find yourself lucky enough to find one bring your wallet and hope for the best.

That’s because Screaming Eagle, a cab that often hits 100 points on the Wine Spectator list, will run in the thousands for a bottle.

And then there is Harlan Estates, a nice Bordeaux blend that will set you back $1,400 for a 2017 vintage.

But enough about wines you may never taste.

Let’s talk about something more important — where to get a great bottle of wine that you can afford.

YOU MEAN THERE IS MORE THAN ONE WINE COUNTRY?

Anyone who moves to California or visits there will quickly realize there are wine regions like France.

If you tell someone you are going to wine country, they will assume Napa Valley near San Francisco. There also is Sonoma right next door. Consider this the less touristy version of the area with great wine.

For those near Los Angeles, there are two regions to check out. There is Temecula that is gaining in popularity, and then there is a wine region that has the best Pinot Noir in the state.

Central Coast wineries can be found from Santa Barbara to an hour north in stunning small towns like Solvang. There also is Los Olivos and Buellton, two places to get some of the best food in all of California, including a perfect filet mignon at the Hitching Post.

If you think you have heard of this region before, you have. The film Sideways was shot on location through these small towns.

It’s also the area where Paul Giamatti at the Los Olivos Café proclaimed he wasn’t “drinking any merlot” — not quite those words, but this is a family-friendly guide. It also changed the industry and propelled Pinot Noir to higher prices and cut merlot sales by 20%.

THE MYTHICAL 100-POINT WINE

If you go to a store and see a Wine Spectator rating like 94, that means that bottle is a good vintage and will be stunning.

Then there are wines that in rare occasions will draw a perfect score.

There are 100-point California wines but not many of us can say we have ever had one.

But what you need to know here is there are plenty of ratings from different groups. Wine Spectator is one of the top, as well as Wine Advocate and Wine Enthusiast.

There will be places you go that show an Opus One in 2014 with 100 points. That wine will fetch a little more than $300 for a bottle.

To find more in the Napa area, check out Cakebread Cellars 2016 vintage and

In the Central Coast, Paul Lato Wines had a 100-point Syrah for a 2018 vintage.

While it’s fun to say you have had a wine with 100 points, you can find stunning bottles with a few less points for a lot less money.

2017 California Wine

There are great vintages that come out in California every few years, including 2014. That year was so good that wineries often held the release to set a price point.

The following year was kind of forgettable.

Then there are the 2017 wines. This year captures the flavor and will be known for all the fires that happened late that year. But in the Napa area, many of the grapes were picked already.

When you look for a recent wine, look toward the 2017 California wines. These cabs, chardonnay and pinots are lovely. While it may not be one of the best years in decades, wines are good and priced well. Think value for these.

A few to check out: In the Central Coast, Alma Rosa Winery offers high quality pinot priced in the $50 range for a 2017. Foxen Vinards is the home of pinot.

It is along Foxen Canon Road near Buellton that will have top pinots including Julia’s Vineyard that scored in the mid-90s for its 2017. This area also has great chards, including those at Sanford Winery.

In the Napa region, check out Stag’s Leap. This offers some great cabs. Also check out Cakebread. While cabs are their thing too, Cakebread offers a beautiful tour and tasting — also a top producer of chardonnay. If you want to venture out a little, check out Rochioli for some of the state’s top pinot near Healdsburg.

3 DAY WINE TOUR CALIFORNIA

If you’re are going to the Napa area, think of that as the tourist trap. It’s pretty with lots of traffic.

So, you will need a game plan.

The key to tasting wine is knowing one thing — it’s about the experience.

So, choose three wineries per day you would like to visit. Any more than this and you will think everything tastes good.

Start your journey with the furthest away winery and then the more you taste the closer you get to the hotel.

In this area make sure to get out to Sonoma County. This has some of the top wine in the state. And it’s a little more quiet.

If you are a fan of Zinfandel, Healdsburg is the place for you. Check out Seghesio for some great flavor. Downtown Healdsburg also has plenty of places for top food.

If you are going to the Central Coast, you must go to Buellton. This small town may not look like much, is a great place to start your tour. It also has some amazing food. The wineries in this region are often located outside of the city. But if you want to park and walk to many of them, Los Olivos is your place. Not only do they have olive oil tasting, but The Garage is a great place for lunch. For dinner, you have to go to the Los Olivos Café.

While this town has only a few streets, it is the place you can video your own movie scene from “Sideways” where it was filmed — and give your best “I hate merlot” scene.

BEST CALIFORNIA MERLOTS

OK, we all know this wine took a hit because of one joke in a movie.

But it was funny.

The thing is every wine can be great.

You have to search for it.

Just because you had one bad merlot or chard, or even cab, doesn’t mean there are not great ones out there. Most wineries do one or two wines really well. Try those and move to the next one. Regions are also important.

Love pinot?

Go to the Central Coast.

How about Syrah?

Also there. Try Andrew Murray.

And Sauvignon Blanc?

Find a place called the Wine Ghetto in Lompoc. The winery is called Fiddlehead that was featured in the movie Sideways during the dinner scene at the Café.

If you are trying to find Merlot, look to the Napa region for the best California merlot wines.

Look for Duckhorn, Stag’s Leap and Robert Mondavi.

It’s a nice, drinkable red wine that may have gotten a bad rap. It’s also a wine used in many blends.

Just because Miles hates merlot with a passion doesn’t mean you will.

Give it a try.

You might think it doesn’t taste like the back of an L.A. school bus.

HIRE THE BEST — AND HAVE A GLASS

When you’re ready to live amongst the vines and have every day be part of a wine tour, give Belfor Moving a call. Belfor is a reputable and trusted mover in California, and are ready to be apart of your wine country reality. Give Belfor a call to schedule your free moving quote, or click here to get your free moving quote online.  Cheers!

If, after a glass of California wine, you decide you want to organize your garage, here’s some garage organization tips from our partners at A2B Moving & Storage.