Yeah...I grew up in S. CA and it was magical then, but certainly not now. I love it in N. CA though...You passed right by me on your way up to Eureka.
It's funny how that movie, Sideways, changed so much of our lifestyle and the wine industry. One of the characters told the wine pourer, "No, if anyone orders Merlot, I'm leaving. I am NOT drinking any f***ing Merlot!." Suddenly, no one would drink Merlot, which, personally, I think is absolutely lovely. The vineyards all re-grafted their vines to other varietals and it became hard to find Merlot anywhere in CA. I did find one in our area, made by McNab Ridge, which puts out a Merlot that is really good some years, not so much other years. To me, a good Merlot tastes like drinking soft, purple velvet. Gorgeous!