Wine Growing Areas

Cabernet Franc in California

Here is an overview of principal California American Viticultural Areas (AVAs), the U.S. equivalent of appellations, associated with Cabernet Franc. For a deep dive into specific regions, please visit our Regional Guides.

California Cabernet Franc Acreage by County (2021)

COUNTY 2021 TOTAL GRAPE ACRES
(bearing and non-bearing)		 2021 TOTAL GRAPE HECTARES
(bearing and non-bearing)
Napa 1,232 498.57
Sonoma 586 237.15
San Luis Obispo 518 209.63
Lake 126 50.99
Monterey 110 44.52
Santa Barbara 93 37.64
Sacramento 90 36.42
San Joaquin 84 33.99
El Dorado 81 32.78
Nevada 81 32.78
Other 404 163.49
STATE TOTAL 3,402 1376.74

California accounts for most of the Cabernet Franc acreage grown in the United States. As referenced earlier, it’s most often used for Bordeaux blends, but the grape has regularly shown well when bottled as a single varietal. Most of it is grown in Napa and Sonoma, with some small vineyard plantings in Central and Southern California: Paso Robles, Temecula, and Santa Ynez. One of the biggest indicators of Cabernet Franc’s growing popularity is grape prices. According to the California Department of Food and Agriculture 2019 Grape Crush Report, Cabernet Franc commands an average of US $9,493.79 per ton versus Cabernet Sauvignon at US $7,865.52 per ton. This is not a one-off; Cabernet Franc has commanded a higher price point since 2016.


Cabernet Franc Around The World

Below is a list of the principal areas of the world associated with premium Cabernet Franc.

  • France: Loire Valley (Anjou, Bourgueil, Touraine, Chinon, and Saumur-Champigny) and Bordeaux (Saint Emilion, Pomerol, overall Libournais or “right bank” regions) 
  • Italy: Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Tuscany (Bolgheri)
  • Spain: Castilla-La Mancha, Catalunya
  • Other European countries: Hungary 
  • South Africa: Stellenbosch
  • Other Countries: Cyprus, Malta, Turkey, Israel, New Zealand, Australia
  • The Americas
    • Argentina: Mendoza, San Juan, La Rioja, Salta, Catamarca, Río Negro
    • Chile: Central Valley (Maipo) 
    • Brazil: Rio Grande do Sul
    • USA (beyond CA): Washington State (Columbia Valley), Oregon (Rogue and Umpqua Valleys), NY (Finger Lakes, Long Island, Niagara), Virginia, Michigan
    • Canada: Ontario (Niagara Escarpment), British Columbia (Okanagan)