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California needs no introduction from us – it is the premier wine region of the United States, responsible for over 80% of all U.S. wine production. If California were a country, it would rank as the fourth-largest wine producer in the world outright.

California is a warm, sun-kissed wine region with a dramatic natural landscape. An 800-mile coastline running north to south, sweeping mountain ranges, and varied elevations create a patchwork of diverse microclimates, making the state uniquely suited to viticulture.

(Photo by Linda Pomerantz Zhang on Unsplash)

Key Production & Industry Facts

Wineries & Vineyard Areas
California is home to approximately 6,200 registered wineries and features 149 distinct American Viticultural Areas (AVAs), ranging from the cool coastal zones of Sonoma and Santa Barbara to the warmer inland central valleys.

Top Varietals
The most widely planted grapes are Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, followed closely by Pinot Noir and Zinfandel.

Sustainability
Over 80% of California wine is produced in a Certified California Sustainable Winery, highlighting the state’s strong commitment to environmental responsibility and long-term vineyard health.

Source: Wine Institute

California on the World Stage

Two major external forces (don’t forget the hard-working wine makers!) firmly established Californian wines on the global stage: the Judgement of Paris and the influence of Robert Parker and The Wine Advocate.

The Judgement of Paris (1976)

In 1976, a blind tasting held in Paris and organised by British wine merchant Steven Spurrier sent shockwaves through the wine world. Nine French wine experts—sommeliers, winemakers, writers, and educators—were invited to judge top French wines against relatively unknown Californian counterparts.

The tasting included leading Bordeaux reds and Burgundy whites alongside Californian Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. The expectation was clear: France would win. Instead, the results shocked the wine world;

Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars 1973 S.L.V. Estate Cabernet Sauvignon was the highest-scoring red wine, while Chateau Montelena 1973 Chardonnay claimed top white. Overnight, the spotlight was on Californian Wines.

https://youtu.be/e0JnFj9yGXs?si=ikOOgvfjCWuWb1J1

Robert Parker The Wine Advocate

From the 1970s onwards, American wine critic Robert Parker played a pivotal role in championing Californian wines internationally. Wines that scored highly with Parker often shared a distinctive style: ripe fruit concentration, full body, higher alcohol, pronounced oak influence, and bold tannic structure.

This “Parker style” became closely associated with many premium Californian reds and Parker too helped redefine global perceptions of New World wines, placing Californian wines firmly alongside the most celebrated and highly sought after Old-World regions wines.

California’s New Wave: A Region Rediscovered

The New Wave of Californian wine isn’t about rejecting their historic past—it’s about rebalancing the future. These wines honour California’s extraordinary natural advantages while embracing restraint, transparency, and dare one say a deeper connection to the vineyard and California.

For drinkers who love freshness, finesse, and authenticity, this new generation of Californian wines feels less like a trend and more like a long-overdue evolution.

From cool coastal vineyards to thoughtful, low-intervention cellars, California is once again surprising the world—this time with much more subtlety.

 

Californian New Wave Selection

Carboniste, Sparkling Albarino Extra Brut 2022 - £35

The perfect aperitif - fruity, bright, fresh.

Grapes are sourced from the Gomes Family, who have been farming on Andrus Island, Sonomo since they immigrated from the major Albariño producing region of Portugal in the 1800s. The site has deep, rich soil, well fed from the Sacramento River. They dry farm and are transitioning to organic farming certification.

Jolie-Laide, Suisun Valley Pinot Gris 2023 - £37

Delicate pink hue, aromatic nose, enticing texture.

Lying south-east of the Napa Valley, the Suisun Valley is home to a variety of grapes originally planted in California’s North Coast. Here the combination of microclimate, alluvial-clay loam soils, and healthy organic farming allows Pinot Gris to thrive

Marietta, Armé Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec Merlot Petit Verdot 2021 - £36

Aromatically pure, delicate herbs, and screaming for Ribeye steak!

93/100 - The 2021 Armé Cabernet Sauvignon is blended with 10% Merlot, 4% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot. It has pretty tones of blueberries and black cherries with nuances of lavender, thyme and underbrush. The palate is medium-bodied, chalky and refreshing, with surprising depth of crunchy fruit and floral sparks across the long, juicy finish. - Erin Brooks, Wine Advocate

New Waves: California Wines tasting

On Friday 20th March 2026, we will be hosting our first wine tasting event of 2026, which will be a snapshot of this movement.

We will be showing seven Californian Wines on this evening.  Wines that are vibrant, expressive, and quietly confident. If you think you know California wine, this will be the perfect tasting for you.

Further Reading

Jancis Robinson – California Wine Region - always a fantastic further resource if you would like to discover more on California.