California - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

James Hocking signs three Napa wineries

Published: 06 February, 2020

James Hocking Wine (JHW) has expanded its portfolio with three Napa Valley wineries – CAMi, Pilcrow and Zeitgeist.

Pol Roger expands Napa portfolio with Kinsman Eades and TOR Wines

Published: 14 January, 2020

Pol Roger has expanded it Napa portfolio with the addition of Kinsman Eades and TOR Wines.

Guy Woodward: The irresistible side of climate change

Published: 13 December, 2019

As we flew into her native California last month, my wife was confused. The captain had announced we would be landing in 20 minutes, but looking out the window, she saw an unfamiliar sight. “That’s weird,” she said. “Looks like we’re only just passing over Utah – there’s the salt flats.” Don’t tell me we’ve been diverted, I thought… No, all was on track, and we touched down safely at LAX 20 minutes later. Turns out the vista that had so disoriented my wife was, in fact, the scorched earth of the Golden State, dry beyond recognition.

E&J Gallo acquires Napa’s Pahlmeyer winery

Published: 20 November, 2019

E&J Gallo has acquired Napa Valley winery Pahlmeyer as part of its ‘super premium’ strategy.

New West Sonoma Coast AVA to highlight ‘best Pinot Noir’ in USA

Published: 07 November, 2019

With the official rubber-stamping of a new West Sonoma Coast AVA just weeks away, its vintners have been in London promoting what they describe as “California’s Cote d’Or”.

CWI confirms ‘vast majority’ of Sonoma vineyards and wineries intact

Published: 29 October, 2019

The California Wine Institute (CWI) has confirmed that 'currently' the vast majority of vineyards and wineries in Sonoma County are intact.

Soda Rock winery destroyed as wildfires continue to sweep Sonoma

Published: 28 October, 2019

The historic Soda Rock winery in the Alexander Valley has been destroyed in the current Cali wildfires, which has seen the closure of several major wineries since the fires started last Wednesday.

Cali wildfires take hold of Sonoma

Published: 25 October, 2019

The current wildfires in California has taken hold of Sonoma County.

Golden State pushes affordability message with £50+ tasting

Published: 30 September, 2019

California Wines staged the second of its annual Collectible California tastings at the US embassy late last week, in what the organisers described as “probably the most expensive California tasting ever put on in London” in terms of bottles opened and poured.

North South Wines adds California’s Scheid Family Wines to portfolio

Published: 03 September, 2019

North South Wines has signed a deal to exclusively represent California’s Scheid Family Wines brands across all trade channels in the UK.

Sustainability: a transatlantic conversation with California Wines

Published: 13 August, 2019

Harpers and California Wine Institute hosted an insightful and far-reaching seminar at London’s Design Museum, delivering the core message that the wine world is well-placed to better engage consumers in supporting the true costs of advancing sustainability. Andrew Catchpole reports

Cali wine sales in US hit $40bn

Published: 25 June, 2019

California wine shipments in the US reached an estimated retail value of $40.2bn in 2018, up 3% from the previous year despite a slowdown in overall wine sales, according to the Wine Institute – the trade body for Californian wine.

Q&A: Justine McGovern and Damien Jackman, directors, California Wine Institute UK & Ireland

Published: 21 June, 2019

Ahead of a joint Harpers-California Wine Institute session on sustainability (details below), Andrew Catchpole catches up with the team fronting the Golden State’s wines

California: Western promise

Published: 13 May, 2019

A recent California Wines tasting convinced many that the Golden State is back on track. Andrew Catchpole reports on its refreshed identity

Vineyard Cellars appoints Dave Allen as new director

Published: 09 May, 2019

Vineyard Cellars has appointed Dave Allen to the role of director as the Californian fine wine merchant looks to grow its portfolio.

Californian wine under £20 boosts UK sales

Published: 09 April, 2019

US wine exports to the UK have seen a slip in value but a rise in volume, thanks largely to a growth in buyer interest in a previously difficult-to-source section of the market.

California rises from the ashes

Published: 08 April, 2019

Northern California’s wine industry continues to recover after the record-breaking wildfires of 2017.

Honore Comfort named Wine Institute VP for international marketing

Published: 04 April, 2019

The Wine Institute, the voice for Californian wine, has appointed Honore Comfort as vice president of international marketing.

Interview: Danny Lucchesi, Delicato Family

Published: 25 March, 2019

Viticulturalist Danny Lucchesi talks to Chris Wilson about special old vines, Zin and Gnarley Head

California pushes mid-range value at UK tasting

Published: 13 March, 2019

California Wines used its Essential California tasting yesterday (12 March) to swing the focus onto wines under £50 RRP, with an emphasis on the message of value for quality to the fore for the UK market.