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Californian wine production has a rich viticultural history dating back to 1680, when Spanish Jesuit missionaries planted Vitis vinifera vines native to the Mediterranean. Because the market favored French brands, the Californian table wine trade grew modestly but soon gained international fame during the Paris Wine Tasting of 1976, when renowned French wine experts, in a blind tasting, ranked Californian wines higher than the leading French labels in the Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon categories. That was quite a “shock”.
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order wine from California

Wine from California you buy at Wijnclub Amsterdam.We have a large assortment of quality wines from small winemakers to exclusive top wines.

  • Exceptional wines from small winemakers (also organic, natural wine, and vegan)
  • Many popular wines with high scores on Vivino
  • All wines can be ordered by the bottle.
  • Clear information about grapes, origin, and vintage
  • Ordered before 15:00 = shipped the same working day
  • Delivery by cargo bike in Amsterdam
  • Pickup available in Amsterdam city center
  • Advice via telephone, email, WhatsApp, or by appointment
  • Customer rating 9+ via Webwinkelkeur

Order your favorite Wine from California at Wijnclub Amsterdam..

Vineyards in California are spread over more than 1,300 km. Some bake in the sun (Central Valley) up to +30°C. Other vineyards benefit from coolness, locally known as “air conditioning.” Fog from San Francisco Bay with its cold Gulf Stream cools the vineyard, or wind from the ocean brings freshness. Heat and drought are the greatest challenges, as are the numerous wildfires every year. But the cooler regions along the coast or on higher hills offer an ideal environment for producing top-quality wine.

A staggering 901 TP3T of all American wines comes from California. This makes the region the most famous wine region in the country. It stretches from San Diego in the south to Mendocino, approximately 150 kilometers from San Francisco. It extends from the Pacific coastline to the Sierra Nevada region. Just like the country, viticulture is on a grand scale. The size of the vineyards is a good example of this. Furthermore, while technical developments such as harvest mechanization and winemaking techniques were invented in France, they are implemented on a large scale in California. After Italy, France, and Spain, California is the largest wine producer in the world.

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Colombard, Chenin Blanc, and Sauvignon Blanc are the most common grapes. Zinfandel is also a popular grape. It is considered a local grape variety (although it originates from Italy as Primitivo). Wines made from Zinfandel are often light and fruity, but can also be robust and spicy.

Cover since 1976

In 1976, “The Judgement of Paris,“ organized by the famous and then very young wine journalist Stephen Spurrier, Californian wines defeated the great Chateaux from Bordeaux in a professional tasting in Paris. Even after the decision not to count the opinions of an English and an American juror, and because the jury was exclusively French, international wines had to be tasted ‘blind“ alongside a number of top French wines. California took first place, which subsequently caused quite a stir in the French and foreign press. However, everyone was convinced that very good wines were coming from the other side of the ocean. A film was even made about it, *Bottle Shock*. With this, Californian wine immediately placed itself on the international wine map, a position it would never relinquish.

California wine regions

Napa Valley

Los Carneros, Stags Leap District, Yountville, Oakville, Rutherford, Saint Helena, Calistoga. 

Napa Valley is actually only about 50 kilometers long and 5 kilometers wide. World-famous. Here you will find the most expensive vineyards and the most prestigious wine of California is produced. The main cold air currents from the sea come from San Pablo Bay. In the southernmost AVA, Los Carneros, it is cool enough to produce Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, both still and sparkling.

As we move further north, it gets progressively warmer. Precisely due to the absence of the aforementioned cold air here. This makes it possible to plant Cabernet Sauvignon. The AVAs Stags Leap District, Yountville, Oakville, and Rutherford are known for this.

Rutherford is located too far north to benefit much from the cold air currents of San Pablo Bay and therefore produces powerful, full-bodied wines. Saint Helena and Calistoga lie at the very north of Napa. It is warm here, so the wines from these regions are fuller and riper in flavor.

Sonoma County

Russian River Valley, Dry Creek Valley, Alexander Valley, Sonoma Coast

Sonoma Valley is larger than Napa and has many different climates. Russian River Valley benefits from a cold airflow through a gap – Patulama Gap – in the coastal mountains. A cool climate with morning mist prevails here, making it perfect for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, for both still and sparkling wines. Dry Creek Valley lies in the north. The vineyards situated on slopes tower above the mist and therefore see more hours of sunshine. Much Zinfandel is planted here. On the flat areas, you mainly find Sauvignon Blanc. Alexander Valley is warmer and is known for its fleshy Cabernet Sauvignons.

Central Coast

Santa Cruz Mountains, Monterey

The climate of the Santa Cruz Mountains is generally temperate. The soil is poor, forcing the vines to work extra hard. This produces elegant Cabernet Sauvignons. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are also widely planted here. Monterey has a cool climate due to its location near the ocean. Close to the coast, you will find a lot of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Santa Lucia Highlands is known for its beautiful Chardonnays. Inland, there are more Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah planted.

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