Californian Burgundy, 1906 poster from the London wine merchants showing a bottle on Glacier Point, Yosemite

The story of wine in California begins with the story of the Spanish in California. Vineyard planting in the state began with the Spanish Franciscan Missionaries starting with California’s first mission: Mission San Diego de Alcalá in 1769. Just as palm trees were planted so there would be palm fronds for Palm Sunday, vineyards were planted so there would be wine for communion. That first variety, planted by Father Junípero Serra, became so ubiquitous that it became known as the Mission grape and was the preeminent variety until 1880.

The center of commercial production was initially in Southern California, but the Gold Rush (1848 – 1855) brought with it an influx of people to Northern California. (In 1848, population of San Francisco swelled from 1,000 – 25,000 in that single year). Those miners were a thirsty bunch and the demand for wine exploded as well. Today’s wine centers in Northern California of Sutter County, El Dorado County, Napa County and Sonoma County (amongst many others) were first planted in those gold rush years. By 1900s, the thriving California wine industry was exporting wines all over the world as far away as Australia, Central America, England and even Asia.

Fast forward to the turning point for California wine, May 24, 1976, when California producers entered their wines in a blind tasting, comparing California wines with French. The judging panel was exclusively French, so it was a shock when the California wines were ranked the highest in both competition categories: Chardonnays and reds category. The results of what became known as the Judgment of Paris were reported in Time Magazine. Money couldn’t buy press like that. And demand for wines from California surged. Today the state is recognized for creating some of the best wines in the world.

For the Holidays we are giving away these wines at these fantastic prices for the rest of THE MONTH!! Take advantage of this unbelievable deal while it lasts.

Opus One Napa 2018

98pts RP, 99pts JS

Was: $495.00

NOW:$399.99

The Opus One 2018 offers profuse aromas of blackberry, cassis and black cherry. Elegant notes of violets, white pepper and rose petals follow and together they deliver a very seductive bouquet. The seamlessly layered flavors build to a crescendo of fresh and juicy black-fruit, accented with hints of orange zest, licorice and dark chocolate. Beautifully balanced, the smooth round tannins and fresh acidity combine to create a soft, creamy mouthfeel and extend the flavors into a long persistent finish.

Staglin Family Vineyard Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

96+pts Vinous, 94pts WW

Was: $372.00

NOW:$292.99

The beautifully sculpted 2019 Staglin Cabernet plays out like a well written thriller, full of brilliant dialogue between its dramatic dark fruit, fine tannins, alluring resins and focused acidity. After building masterfully to a pinnacle of sun-ripened fig, lively boysenberry, and hints of cedar, these flavors recede to reveal traces of lavender imbued Dutch cocoa and rosebud tea swirling gracefully around a resolute, savory core. The wine sustains its textural finish through an ever-evolving cast of subtle, earth driven notes until softly releasing from the palate. Lovely and refined at this early glimpse, all indications promise an age-worthy representation of the phenomenal vintage. Sure to become a classic.

Chappellet Pritchard Hill Cabernet 2019

99 pts RP, 99pts WW

Was: $366.00

NOW:$288.99

Embodying the essence of great mountain-grown Cabernet Sauvignon and the majestic terroir or Pritchard Hill, this wine is gloriously opulent and elegant, immediately demanding attention with aromas of violet, black currant, cassis, ripe blackberry, graphite and sweet smoke. As it opens up, fascinating layers of sandalwood and cardamom emerge, as well as hints of vanilla bean, nutmeg, dark chocolate and anise. On the impeccably balanced palate, complex flavors of ripe dark berries and spice dominate, framed by silky, polished tannins that carry the flavors to a long, epic finish.