Just an hour east of downtown San Francisco, a sleeping giant has awakened to the delight of wine tourists eager to discover someplace "new."

Actually, when it comes to wine, Contra Costa County is anything but new. The 800-square-mile county has been producing award-winning wine and grapes for more than 120 years; and prior to the Prohibition, it was home to 50-plus wineries. Through the years, a series of historical events and its grow-ing population took Contra Costa County out of the wine industry limelight: but the region never stopped producing exceptional grapes. Giants don’t sleep forever and today, thanks to its nonstop grape friendly conditions and a sophisticated following, Contra Costa County is soaring in all sorts of ways. Its luscious grapes are used not only by the 18-plus regional wineries, but by at least 50 wineries outside the county. The Contra Costa Winegrowers Association wants our readers to see what the buzz is about!

LOCAL WINES
Bloomfield Vineyards 2010 Viognier
Best of Show White, 2012 Contra Costa Commercial Wine Competition

Try: 2010 Chardonnay, 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2010 Devil’s Daughter
bloomfieldvineyards.com

Cline Cellars 2011 Cashmere
Reserve Class Champion, 2013 Houston Rodeo Wine Competition

Try: 2011 Big BreakZinfandel, 2011 Late Harvest Mourvèdre, 2011 Ancient Vines Carignane
clinecellars.com

Hannah Nicole 2009 LeMelange Blanc
Gold medal, 2011 SanFrancisco Chronicle Wine Competition

Try: 2010 Sauvignon Blanc Late Harvest, 2010 Cabernet Franc, 2010 Meritage
hnvwines.com

Tamayo Family Vineyards 2009 Syrah
Double Gold medal, 2011 Tasters Guild Consumer Wine Judging

Try: 2009 Syrah, 2009 Logan’s Reserve RedMeritage, 2008 Tamayo Red
tamayofamilyvineyards.com

Viano Vineyards 2007 Sandstone Cabernet Sauvignon
Silver medal, 2012 Orange County Fair

Try: 2011 Contra Costa County Chardonnay, 2006 SangioveseRiserva, 2007 Vintage Zinfandel

Wedl Wine Cellars 2011 Zinfandel
Double Gold, 2013 Finger Lakes International Wine Competition

Try: 2010 Zinfandel, 2011 Zinfandel
wedlwinecellars.com

INSIDE SCOOP
The small vineyards of Contra Costa County boast the lion’s share of Northern California’s ancient vines, planted in the late 1800s.
cccwines.com

Touring & Tasting is a media company that produces a wine and travel magazine and is also partner in the Hitched Wine Club.