As you drive north across the Golden Gate Bridge you might see a flag bearing a single red star and a grizzly bear. This was the flag of the Bear Flag Revolt, an independence movement that lasted for 26 days in 1846 as Californians seceded from Mexico before realising that they had been annexed by the United States.
Three years later saw the greatest migration in history when more than 200,000 souls came to north California in search of their fortune in the great gold rush.
What they didn't realise was that the real gold was to be found above ground in the produce that can be grown in California's Mediterranean climate and fertile soils. Today, agriculture is by far the biggest dollar earner in America's most populous state.
Just 65km further north is Sonoma County, home to the state capital, Sacramento, and, more importantly, to more than 350 wineries and vineyards. In an area one-tenth the size of New Zealand are four distinct appellations that vary in soil type and microclimate. They all benefit from the wet winters from November to April, followed by the hot, dry summers - ideal growing conditions for all manner of fruit and vegetables.
