Synonymous with the good life, Napa and Sonoma counties have become one of North America’s great food and wine playgrounds. These two neighboring regions, 35 miles north of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, have unprecedented agricultural bounty with thousands of acres of manicured vineyards. Little wonder that an explosion of artistic gourmet restaurants soon followed.

Napa and Sonoma’s overflowing farmer’s markets and local groceries sell everything from aged goat cheese to plump olives. Much of the locally grown produce is unavailable anywhere else. Japanese spas, hikes through the Sonoma’s redwoods and lush golf courses are an excuse to take a day off from tasting wine. But few can resist the call of the grape. Sunny year round, Napa and Sonoma enjoy a proximity to the Pacific Ocean that keeps temperatures cool in summer. With rains mostly in winter, the growing season is long and fertile, perfectly suited to the needs of grape vines known for producing the most acclaimed wine in the world.

For more information go to: www.napavalley.com or www.sonomacountry.com.