
As the famous Greek playwright Euripides once said…
Where there is no wine, there is no love.
Wine is such an enjoyable substance, and while opening a bottle at home is fun… touring vineyards and whiling away the hours in tasting rooms is much more fun!
If you love wine and you’re in the market for a new place to live, you might instantly think of Napa, California. Its famed wine region is world-renowned, after all.
But let’s face it. Napa can be quite expensive, and Sonoma’s not much better.
If you want something with just as much charm and a more reasonable price point, though, look no further – here are some ideal cities where you can explore your love of the world’s most delicious grape juice without the painful mortgage payment.
1- Loomis, Newcastle & Penryn, CA
Want to live in the beautiful Sierra Nevada Foothills, but don't want to deal with snow?This area boasts some of the best kept secret wineries. Some of my personal recommendations are Hilltop Winery, Casque Winery & Dono dal Cielo.
Hilltop Winery is a boutique winery deluged in in award winning wines....gotta say, once you've tried them, they pretty much ruin you from wanting to go back to Napa or Sonoma, (in my humble opinion). Casque Winery is located a bit further down the road on the beautiful grounds of the Flower Farm. Also a gorgeous setting to linger the afternoon away tasting their great vino. Want a little hike after a picnic, while tasting great wines? Check out another longtime favorite, Don dal Cielo.
But why live there? Simply put, GORGEOUS properties and great small town community events!
2 – Lincoln, CA
Lincoln is a small town that has expanded greatly over the past recent years. With that their schools are getting noticed and they have options of living rurally or suburbanly now.
My favorite wineries there are spectacularly vista-ed Wise Villa and the beuatiful rambling Rancho Robles. (Fun Fact: We almost bought Rancho Robles many mnay moons ago)!
Another great thing about Lincoln is that they haven't lost their community spirit and have many community events, as well as lots of 55+ Active communities.
3 – Rocklin & Roseville, CA
Great adjacent communities with loads of award winning schools! And these communities are loaded with shopping and close to local hospitals, etc.
Why would you love them for wine? For starters---loads of great restaurants who serve fabulous wines...secondly, they are central to so many fabulous wineries you can visit!
4 – Auburn, CA
Want to live smack dab in the middle of Gold Rush history? Auburn used to be the capital of California and has one of the coolest old town still around.
We love some of the local restaruants for wine pours...but also Fawn Hill and so many more!
5 – Cameron Park, El Dorado hills, Rescue
When zipping up The 50 to Tahoe, you may not realize that these longtime commnities also a central points to amazing wineries, like Skinner Vineyards and Cielo Estate Wineries.
Why would you want to live there? One great reason is they aren't in the fog near as much as those living in the Sacramento Valley! While there are some newer builders, much of the communites are heavy with custom built homes. The communites are loaded with restaurants, shopping and entertainment. They are close to freeway access for day trips to Tahoe, Sacramento or over to the Bay Area.
6 – PlaCERVILLE, CA
During the Gold Rush, this is where you wanted to be! But formerly known as Hangtown, has become a great place to get away from it all, and still enjoy small town living, but with accessiblitiy to restarants and shopping. It's also close to Apple Hill, which is a delcious place to visit, especially in the fall!
Some of our favorite wineries there are in nearby Apple Hill, which are Lava Cap and Bogle. We love to visit the apple orchards and take a break from the crowds for a bit if wine tasting, before gorging ourselves in apple goodies again, for the fall festivities.
7 – Amador, CA
If you love great wines AND outdoor adventures, in small foothill towns...then Amador is the place for you!
With everything from sprawling ranch style homes to old formhouses with wrap around porches, there are all sorts of different types of home – for just about any taste.
We have too many favorites there to list, but Sobon is always one of my first recommendations!
There you have it – seven areas you can move to if you want to live the wine life. Which one is your favorite?
Crack open a bottle of your favorite vintage, and share this article with the wine fanatic in your life. You never know – you could wind up in one of these spectacular cities next!
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