Posted on June 23, 2026 Updated on June 29, 2026
pictue from Acquiesce Winery
One of my favorite anonymous quotes is “ Adventure may hurt you, but monotony will kill you ”.
With summer in full swing, many are reaching for cool and refreshing white wines. Besides the standard three most common white wines, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio, many other interesting white wines are available. While those three white wines are the “workhorse” for light white wines, many others exist with unique and flavorful profiles.
Here are just twelve varieties you may want to check out for summer. Please let me know how many you have enjoyed and your favorite winery for each. Listed below are the varietal name, the winery and a link to one of my previous articles.
Albariño – Cellar13 Winery – Livermore Valley
https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2026/05/23/2023-cellar-13-winery-albarino-with-blackened-swordfish/ with blackened Swordfish
https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2025/09/10/cellar-13-2021-albarino-a-great-choice-with-sashimi/ with sashimi
Assyrtiko – New Clairvaux Vineyard, Vina (northern California)
https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2025/04/05/2022-new-clairvaux-vineyard-assyrtiko-unique-winery-with-a-historic-background/ with tuna crudo
Blanc de Franc – LXV Wines, Paso Robles
https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2026/02/18/2024-lxv-blanc-de-franc-an-elegant-and-layered-beauty-with-a-subtle-message/
Bourboulenc – Acquiesce Winery, Acampo (north of Lodi)
https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2022/02/07/2019-acquiesce-bourboulenc-and-fresh-dungeness-crab/ with Dungeness crab
Grüner-Veltliner – Austria
https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2025/08/09/2023-winzer-krems-ried-goldberg-kellermeister-privat-gruner-veltliner-from-kremstal/ with chicken stir fry
Picpoul Blanc – Acquiesce Winery, Acampo (north of Lodi)
https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2024/06/13/2021-acquiesce-winery-picpoul-blanc-with-fresh-scallops/ with scallops
Pinot Blanc – Alsace in eastern France
https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2025/08/08/2021-trimbach-pinot-blanc-versatile-and-often-overlooked-varietal/ with Swiss cheese chicken
Pinot Blanc – Girasole Vineyards in Mendocino County
https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2025/04/24/2023-girasole-vineyards-pinot-blanc-perfect-for-light-summertime-foods/
Riesling (dry) – Smith-Madrone, Napa Valley (Spring Mtn)
https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2025/11/18/2021-smith-madrone-vineyards-riesling-perfection-of-a-varietal/
Roussanne – Lavender Ridge, Murphys (Sierra foothills)
https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2025/10/24/2023-lavender-ridge-roussanne-venture-beyond-chardonnay/ with honey sesame chicken
https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2025/01/10/2018-lavender-ridge-vineyard-roussanne-and-patagonian-toothfish/ with Patagonian Toothfish
Roussanne/Marsanne Blend – Starfield Vineyards, Placerville in Sierra Foothills
https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2026/06/25/2024-starfield-vineyards-hope-rising-a-white-wine-blend-alternative-to-chardonnay/
Sauvignon Blanc (Barrel Aged) – Wood Family Vineyards, Livermore Valley
https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2025/06/05/2024-culmination-sauvignon-blanc-aged-in-barrel-what-is-beyond-perfection/ with a summertime pasta salad
White Blend – Stolpman – Los Olivos, California (inland and north of Santa Barbara)
https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2026/05/18/no-pots-no-pans-no-food-and-no-wine-glasses-part-4/ with Stolpman Uni, a blend of Roussanne and Chardonnay, with Sashimi
If you don’t feel that adventuresome, here are a few favorite standard white wines with suggested dishes:
Chardonnay – Wood Family (Livermore), Iron Hub (Amador), Peter Michael (Alexander Valley)
https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2025/01/17/three-special-treats-today-2022-hindsight-chardonnay-fresh-dungeness-crab-and-petrale-sole/
https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2026/06/19/2024-wood-family-vineyards-para-mas-amigas-chardonnay/ with Blackened Alaska Salmon
https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2025/06/06/2021-iron-hub-winery-chardonnay-a-great-wine-and-perfect-match-for-blackened-ahi/ with Ahi steak
https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2025/06/24/a-wonderful-birthday-dinner/
Sauvignon Blanc – Cuda Ridge Wines (Livermore Valley), Hindsight (Calistoga) & Trident Winery (Yountville)
https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2025/06/14/2023-cuda-ridge-wines-sauvignon-blanc-bright-and-crisp-refreshment/ with sashimi
https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2025/08/25/2020-hindsight-sauvignon-blanc-with-mexican-blackened-ahi-tuna-and-nigiri/ with blackened Tuna
https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2025/09/27/2019-silver-trident-winery-symphony-no-9-sauvignon-blanc/ with sauteed chicken with chimichurri sauce
Viognier – Sobon, Amador
https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2025/10/10/a-fall-day-in-amador-valley-wine-district-sobon-estate-iron-hub-winery-and-rombauer-vineyards-visits/ no food
Enjoy your summer adventure with some new wines!
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly
https://californiawinesandwineries.com
