The very words inspire images of bucolic vineyards where grapes hang lush and heavy from the vines, of ancient stone wineries and cool cellars where Cabernet Sauvignon and Chablis mellow in rows of oaken casks.

California's wine valleys do, indeed, contain all those things. But to the surprise of the first-time visitor and the constant delight of those familiar with the area, this wine-rich region offers a melange of other pleasures: historic towns that evoke the Spanish influence, quiet back country roads, redwoods, ocean vistas and air as clean and crisp as a good Chardonnay.

To be certain, there are other wine districts in California. But as the world is beginning to realize, it is this region north of San Francisco -- the valleys of Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino and Lake counties -- that visitors have in mind when they set out to visit the California Wine Country. Between tours and tastings you'll find myriad other things to do-hiking, biking, dining, horseback riding, hot-air ballooning, fishing, relaxing at a spa and more.

The Sonoma Coast is one of the most intriguing along the Western seaboard. Nature lovers walk along the sand, leaving footprints soon to be erased by the tide. And from the headlands above, visitors gaze out on the Pacific for hours at a time, wrapped in the mystery of the ocean, nurturing their souls. Then, they set about finding a cozy seafood restaurant where they can satiate their hunger with crab and shrimp pulled fresh from the ocean.

If Wine Country is a nice place to visit, it's also a nice place to live. Here is small-town tranquility with urban convenience, or at least highway proximity. Of all the visitors who come each year, there are always some who fall in love with Wine Country and decide to stay. In fact, it seems that most of the people who now call our area home first came to Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino or Lake County as visitors.

Whether you come as a tourist or a settler, we know you will discover some wonderful wines that you wish you could get at home. We have many wines available here online, but if you don't find the ones you are looking for, just give us a call and we will see what we can do for you.