Winemaking and the Wine Country lifestyle inspire the creations of gifted local artisans.
Bottles of wine, many of them handcrafted in small lots at boutique wineries, are the most popular locally made goods to purchase during a Wine Country visit, but there’s much more worth seeking out. Northern California was the birthplace of the maker movement, a development reflected in the emphasis Napa and Sonoma artisans place on reusing and recycling the stuff of winemaking—barrels, bottles, and even corks—to craft furniture, jewelry, candles, and other items.
Wine-making concepts like terroir (how specific characteristics of a vineyard or region affect a wine) and blending (a little Merlot into Cabernet Sauvignon, for example, to soften it) inspire beauty and skin-care products. Fashion jewelry by area designers echoes the casual chic lifestyle the Wine Country excels at, and several books document wineries and their wines, people, and animals. Specially made wine glasses enhance wine appreciation, and ceramic tableware and gourmet cooking tools elevate the dining experience at home. Below are our top picks for shopping in Napa and Sonoma.