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California wines

California wines
Visit California is the 1st wine-producing region in the United States, and alone represents the 4th largest wine production in the world, behind France, Italy and Spain. Its wine-growing history dates back to the 17th century, when missionaries brought back European vines imported by the Conquistadores to Latin America. 
The main reason California can produce wine is the influence of the Pacific Ocean. The sunshine is optimal for ripening grapes, and the cool fog along the coastline regulates high temperatures to provide ideal conditions for making complex wines.

6 sub-regions make up California's winegrowing landscape: 
- Extreme Northern California: California's smallest wine-growing area.
- North Coast: one of the coolest production areas, home to more than half of California's wineries, including the most prestigious, such as Napa and Sonoma.
- Central Coast: south of San Francisco, the climate is mild. Some of California's oldest vineyards are planted here.
- Sierra Foothills: vines planted on the former gold rush mines near Nevada produce wines with intense aromas.
- Inland Valleys: the most fertile agricultural zone in the world, it is the cradle of mass production.
- Southern California: between Los Angeles and San Diego, the region is home to California's highest vineyard, at 1300m altitude. 

These Californian regions boast a wide range of grape varieties. But if there's one grape variety that California can claim as its own, it's Zinfandel, a variety that originated in Croatia and is known as Primitivo in southern Italy. Zinfandel expresses itself in many different ways. From one extreme to another, it can be a very popular sweet rosé called "White Zinfandel" or a powerful, viandé red at over 16% vol. However, the best reds are found in aromas of raspberry jam and black pepper or wild blackberries and spices. It all depends on how and where the vines are grown. 

With its topographical and climatic diversity, some of the world's most creative winemakers and a wide range of grape varieties, California is a world reference for quality wines.

Buy the best California wines in private sale!

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from €99 on your 1st order

Discover our selection of the best wine producers in California

Our latest sales of California wines

Resonance Wines - Willamette Valley Découverte Vineyard Chardonnay 2020

94/100 Robert Parker

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93/100 James Suckling

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92/100 Wine Enthusiast

California
chardonnay
buttery
orchard fruit

"According to Wine Enthusiast, it's hard not to open a second bottle of this Chardonnay. Discover this Californian nectar with the allure of a great Burgundy, sublime!"

"Resonance Vineyard Chardonnay is a dangerous combination of elegance and persuasion. From its rich, pleasing mouthfeel to its aromas and flavors of peach, orange zest, wet stone, cashew and a trace of sweet butter, you'll find it hard to avoid opening a second bottle." (Wine Enthusiast 2022)

Francis Ford Coppola Winery - Sonoma Director's Cut Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

91/100 Wine Enthusiast

California
cabernet sauvignon
spicy
complex
meat in sauce

"From Sonoma County, this cuvée highlights 6 different grape varieties grown in a terroir with a unique climate: discover it!"

"Hints of toasty oak lift the aroma of this well-balanced, nicely structured wine before blueberries and black cherries dominate the palate. It offers excellent concentration, well-defined fruit flavors and ample accents of oak, toast, vanilla and cinnamon." (Wine Enthusiast 2022)

Francis Ford Coppola Winery - Monterey County Diamond Collection Chardonnay 2021

89/100 Wine Enthusiast

California
chardonnay
gourmet
white fruit
vanilla

"A 100% Chardonnay with vanilla and toasted flavours that accompany delicious fruit!

"This is a light, lively, easy-drinking Chardonnay, with notes of lemon, lime, chamomile, green apple, wet stone, cheese rind, just-ripe white peach and lime leaf. The delicate, pleasant effervescence on the palate further enhances the freshness of this white." (Wine Enthusiast 2023) - screw cap

Francis Ford Coppola Winery - Californie Diamond Collection Zinfandel 2022

California
zinfandel
spicy
structured
black fruits

"California's emblematic grape variety magnified by Coppola Winery: a spicy, complex cuvée!"

Coppola Winery's Diamond Collection Zinfandel 2022 is once again a brilliant, complex cuvée. Its intense nose of black cherries and jammy strawberries offers spicier notes of tobacco and mocha. On the palate, the spice lingers, developing almond and chocolate flavors accompanied by powerful tannins and a velvety texture. The finish is convincing in its length and richness, with a subtle peppery note.

Quintessa - Rutherford Napa Valley 2021

100/100 Wine Enthusiast

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99/100 James Suckling

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98/100 Jeb Dunnuck

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18,5++/20 Jancis Robinson

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96/100 Robert Parker

California
carmenère
gracious
biodynamics
prestige

"100/100 from Wine Enthusiast and 99/100 from James Suckling: Napa Valley biodynamics at the top of its game!"

"An exquisite wine that relies primarily on Cabernet Sauvignon from a single estate. Aromas of lavender, dried herbs and grapefruit pith combine with firm fruit and cocoa flavors on a structure of abundant, powder-fine tannins and a mouthwatering finish. This wine is refined, detailed and delicious, with as much elegance as energy. " (Wine Enthusiast 2024) - Delivery in wooden case possible for orders of 6 bottles of this wine (depending on country and shipping method selected)

Opus One - Napa Valley 2019

97-99/100 Robert Parker

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99/100 James Suckling

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98/100 Decanter

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97/100 Vinous

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95/100 Wine Spectator

California
structured
persistent
velouté
mythical

"Ranked among the world's finest wines, discover all the excellence of Napa Valley in your glass!"

"The purity of the fruit is truly exceptional, with currants and fresh flowers like violets and roses. Stems of flowers too. Fantastic length and structure for this wine, with rigor and concentration. Wonderful fruit. Graceful. " (James Suckling 2022) - Ranked 67th out of 100 of the world's best wines tasted in 2022 by James Suckling - Wooden case delivery available for orders of 6 bottles of this wine (depending on country and shipping method selected).

Francis Ford Coppola Winery - Californie Diamond Collection Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

88/100 Wine Enthusiast

California
cabernet sauvignon
spicy
complete
black fruits

"A complex blend for a dark, spicy wine, 100% made in Coppola Winery!"

"A simple, straightforward Cabernet that's balanced overall. There are notes of black cherry, blackberry and black plum, accompanied by complementary notes of cinnamon, licorice, clove, nutmeg, allspice, tobacco and dark chocolate." (Wine Enthusiast 2023)

Domaine des Chirats - Rockpile Vineyard Syrah 2018

97+/100 Jeb Dunnuck

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95/100 Robert Parker

California
syrah
velvet
game
confidential

"Discover a Rhodanian Syrah straight from California, a sublime collaboration by Yves Cuilleron & Jeff Cohn!"

"A collaboration between Jeff Cohn and Yves Cuilleron, the 2018 Syrah Domaine des Chirats is another dense, rich and very intense Syrah from the range that shows incredible complexity in its bright blueberries and cherries as well as notes of violets, white pepper, sandalwood and bouquet garni-like aromas and flavors. This full-bodied, tannic and powerful wine develops smoky bacon fat aromas, similar to those of Côte Rôtie, as well as an increasingly pronounced structure as it rests in the glass. Do your best to hide the bottles for 3-4 years, and it should have an overall longevity of two decades." (Jeb Dunnuck 2021)

Birichino - Saint Georges Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021

93/100 Wine Enthusiast

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90/100 Vinous

(2018 vintage notes)
California
pinot noir
delicate
long finish
juicy

"Grandiose with a superb gourmet taste and a very long finish!"

A 100% Pinot Noir, grown in a warm, sunny region. The result is magnificent: a superb light red color, harmonious structure and gourmet aromas of red fruit, cherry and kirsch. A real treat!

Birichino - Bechthold Vineyard Cinsault Old Vines 2022

89/100 Wine Enthusiast

California
cinsault
softness
refined
bio&bon
emblematic

"A California must-have from one of the oldest Cinsault vineyards in the world!"

"Balanced and versatile, this varietal cinsault offers aromas and flavors of red cherry, raspberry, wild strawberry, bramble, toasted wood, black pepper and fresh roses." (Wine Enthusiast 2023)

Birichino - Saint Georges Vineyard Zinfandel Old Vines 2021

91/100 Vinous

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91/100 Wine Enthusiast

(2018 vintage notes)
California
zinfandel
spicy
voltage
beautiful finish

"The perfect opportunity to (re)discover Zinfandel, THE Californian grape variety!"

Vines planted in 1922, an expressive terroir, an emblematic California grape variety... All the ingredients are here for this superb wine, with its fresh aromas of plum, blackberry and cranberry. A California wine in all its splendor! - Screw cap

Birichino - Californie Scylla 2022

Rated 4/5Rated 4/5Rated 4/5Rated 4/5Rated 4/5

4/5 (1 review)

93/100 James Suckling

(Vintage 2021 notes)
California
fruity
beautiful finish
surprising

"A surprising blend of Carignan and Mourvèdre, fruity aromas and a sumptuous finish!"

An atypical wine from California! Fruity, spicy aromas, silky tannins and a je-ne-sais-quoi that makes it sumptuous. An indomitable wine, as the name suggests!

Birichino - Jurassic Park Vineyard Old Vines Chenin Blanc 2022

93/100 Wine Enthusiast

California
chenin
freshness
gourmet
good acidity

"An absolutely delicious, fresh and gourmet 100% Chenin Blanc from California: a must-discover!"

"Subtle aromas of honey, crisp apple and pleasant honeysuckle mingle with notes of wet slate and wool on the nose of this old-vine blend. The palate is wrapped in a solid framework, offering delicate flavors of apple blossom and pear flesh, supported by vibrant, thirst-quenching acidity." (Wine Enthusiast 2024) - Screw cap

Birichino - Yount Mill Vineyard Sémillon Old Vines 2021

16/20 Jancis Robinson

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91/100 The Wine Front

California
sémillon
good acidity
exotic fruits
old vines

"California sunshine in this round wine from old vines!"

"Round, relatively low acidity. A little chewy at the end. The Californian sun is back, that's for sure! Amusing. 2022-2024" (Jancis Robinson 2022)

Newton - Unfiltered Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

93/100 James Suckling

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92/100 Wine Spectator

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92/100 Wine Enthusiast

California
cabernet sauvignon
gourmet
ripe fruit
chicken tagine

"Revel in this unfiltered Cabernet Sauvignon, an indispensable California red wine!"

"An exceptional value, this nuanced, balanced and elegant wine features soft, supple tannins and beautiful red and black cherries. The leather texture adds volume and breadth, with a touch of grip, culminating in a spice and tobacco finish." (Wine Enthusiast 2021)