Events - California Wines

Welcome. This website lists the tastings, seminars and other events conducted by the European team of the California Wine Institute, the trade organization of California wineries. Register here for our upcoming activities or enjoy looking back at our past events over a glass of wine. Cheers.

Upcoming Events

November 16, 2021

California Wines Master Class

California Wine Weeks 2021/2022

Past Events

September 28, 2021

THIS IS US – tasting & seminar – Oslo

Grand Hotel, Karl Johans Gate 31, 01579 Oslo

1:00 pm - 6:00 pm

September 27, 2021

THIS IS US – tasting & seminar – Hamburg

Hotel Atlantic Hamburg, An der Alster 72-79, 20099 Hamburg

12:00 am - 7:00 pm

September 23, 2021

THIS IS US – tasting & seminar – Stockholm

Downtown Camper by Scandic, Brunkebergstorg 9, 111 51 Stockholm

12:00 pm - 6:30 pm

September 21, 2021

THIS IS US – tasting & seminar – Warsaw

Elektrownia Powiśle, Dobra 42, 00-312 Warsaw

1:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Sunshine & Smiles

About California Wines

Did you know that California is the 4th largest wine producer in the world. We have such a diversity of wine styles to offer, from crisp whites to full bodied reds and everything in between. Our natural wonder and constant sunshine makes it easy to smile and it shows in our wines. We are so excited to share our wines with you at our events across Europe. Feel free to register for any of the upcoming activities near you. See you soon!

More about California Wines

Get in touch

Questions or comments, send us an email

europe@discovercaliforniawines.com

@californiawineseurope

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“California excites me because of its diversity

“California excites me because of its diversity of styles, terroirs, and people. The dynamic wine industry is constantly evolving, free from conventions and dogma.” • @konstantinbaum_mw

Master of Wine, Konstantin Baum, hosted 10 fully-booked Napa Seminars across five European cities as part of the THIS IS US wine tasting tour. In partnership with the wonderful @napavintners, he educated over 500 wine professionals about ‘Understanding Styles of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon’, featuring wines from Matthiasson, Robert Mondavi, Corison, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, Louis M. Martini and Mayacamas.

Cheers to Konstantin for his formidable knowledge, enthusiasm and stamina at this year’s tasting tour!

📷: @konstantinbaum_mw

This #WineWednesday, we’re talking full-bodied w

This #WineWednesday, we’re talking full-bodied whites, the ideal autumnal wine! 🥂 🍁 Packing plenty of structure to handle heartier comfort cuisine, yet refreshing enough to match a clear-skied and sunny October afternoon.

California is famous for its rich and complex white wines, of which Napa Valley Chardonnay reigns supreme. Proudly family-owned and sustainable, @rombauervineyards bottled its first Napa Chardonnay in 1982, and it has become a treasured classic of the region.

Wine to try: Rombauer Vineyards Chardonnay, Carneros 2019 – “Lemon-curd, ripe-apricot and toasted-hazelnut aromas. It’s full-bodied and rich with lots of ripe fruit and praline.” • 90/100 @james.suckling

Available in Europe:

🇩🇪 @moevenpickwein_deutschland
🇨🇭 @moevenpickwein
🇨🇿 @8wines

📷: @rombauervineyards

Quintessentially Napa, @quintessawinery is a proud

Quintessentially Napa, @quintessawinery is a proudly organic estate in the heart of the valley’s prestigious Rutherford AVA. This week, @falstaff.international released their mini-vertical tasting of Quintessa wines with Anna Krebiehl MW to settle the question of vintage variation in California…

Head to https://www.falstaff.com/en/nd/quintessa-vintage-variation-in-californias-napa-valley/ to find out more.

📷: @emmakmorris

Across five cities, 2,000 bottles of glorious Cali

Across five cities, 2,000 bottles of glorious California wines were poured to over 1,000 European wine professionals! Plus, 10 sold-out Napa seminars, hosted by @konstantinbaum_mw and Connor Best of @napavintners, presenting Cabernets from Napa’s most iconic wineries. Cheers to the THIS IS US tasting tour 2021, and see you next time!

Did you know California is the world’s fourth-la

Did you know California is the world’s fourth-largest producer of wine? It’s a vast and diverse wine region, covering an area almost the size of Italy, and home to over 100 grape varieties.

Discover this iconic region with our new interactive and comprehensive online course, Capstone California! Created by leading wine writers, Masters of Wine and Master Sommeliers. Learn from the experts what makes California unlike any other wine region. Including its rich history, unique topography, key grapes, winemaking, as well as the business side to wine.

Whether you’re looking for a career in the wine industry, or just passionate about world-class wines, Capstone California is a great way to expand your wine horizons. Gain certification at four levels: Introductory, Intermediate, Advanced and Expert/Ambassador.

Get certified today! Head to capstonecalifornia.com to begin your wine studies.

📷: @sonomacounty

And that’s a wrap! Our ‘THIS IS US’ tasting

And that’s a wrap! Our ‘THIS IS US’ tasting tour swept through Oslo and Hamburg this week ⚡️ bringing together hundreds of European wine professionals to drink stunning California wines. Thank you to our star sponsors, exhibitors, educators, speakers, our seminar partners @napavintners – and everyone else who helped make these Grand Tastings a roaring success.

What a week of tasting it has been! 🍷 THIS IS U

What a week of tasting it has been! 🍷 THIS IS US has taken a whirlwind tour through Europe, starting in Amsterdam and Warsaw, and finishing up the week in Stockholm. Thank you to the hundreds of exhibitors, wineries, educators, sponsors and the fabulous European wine professionals who have made these events such a success.

Here’s to Hamburg and Oslo next week…! 🥂 If you’re a wine or hospitality professional in these cities, register at the link in bio.

It’s the first day of Fall! 🍁 Which means thi

It’s the first day of Fall! 🍁 Which means this #WineWednesday we’re reaching for all things hygge – the soft blankets, comfort food, and fulsome, indulgent red wines…

‘Soul of a Lion’ is an outstanding Bordeaux blend from @daouvineyards, found high on DAOU Mountain in hills of Adelaida District, Paso Robles. Ocean breezes, cool nights and calcareous soils bring a remarkable freshness and minerality to Bordeaux varieties here, while the long sun-drenched days develop dark, rich berry fruit flavors and floral aromas.

The Daou brothers, Georges and Daniel, are equally remarkable. After their family home in Beirut was struck by a rocket during the Lebanese Civil War, the Daou family fled to France, where they discovered the great wines of Bordeaux. Georges and Daniel later came to California as winemakers, where they founded what would become DAOU Mountain – termed a “jewel of ecological elements” by ‘the maestro’ of winemaking, André Tchelistcheff.

“The happiness we found on DAOU Mountain came from following our father’s example. Soul of a Lion is a tribute to the man who made it all possible.” – Daniel & Georges Daou

Available in Europe:

🇸🇪 @systembolaget
🇩🇰 @hjhansenvinñ
🇨🇭 @winescout7
🇦🇹 @kracherfinewine
🇩🇪 @sansibarsylt

‘Soul of a Lion’ is one of nearly 300 California wines being poured at our THIS IS US tasting for wine professionals in Europe! Tomorrow we’re in Stockholm, followed by Hamburg and Oslo next week. Register at link in bio.

📷: @daouvineyards

Calling all wine professionals! 🍷 Don’t forge

Calling all wine professionals! 🍷 Don’t forget to sign up for THIS IS US – our biennial tasting tour coming to Amsterdam, Warsaw, Stockholm, Hamburg and Oslo next week. Tap the link in to register.

Three reasons to attend THIS IS US:

1. Nearly 400 California wines to try at our Grand Tasting! From across the region’s leading AVAs, including Napa Valley, Sonoma, Santa Barbara, Paso Robles and Lodi.

2. Network with other wine industry professionals, including representatives from California’s top wineries and world-renowned wine educators.

3. Seminars in partnership with @napavintners, exploring the cult Cabernets of Napa Valley, hosted by Master of Wine @konstantinbaum_mw, plus a panel of Napa wine producers.

If you’re a member of the wine and/or hospitality industry, this event – held once every other year – is a must.

Register your details at our link in bio to attend, or head to https://californiawines.events

We look forward to seeing you there! 🥂

📷: @emmakmorris

It’s less than a week until we kick off THIS IS

It’s less than a week until we kick off THIS IS US – our 16th biennial tasting tour! Starting on 20 September and featuring nearly 400 California wines, we’ll be touring through:

• Amsterdam (20 Sept)
• Warsaw (21 Sept)
• Stockholm (23 Sept)
• Hamburg (27 Sept)
• Oslo (28 Sept)

Join us for a grand tasting and meet representatives from California’s leading wineries. Plus, attend ‘Seminar Napa Valley’ hosted by @konstantinbaum_mw and @napavintners, featuring an all-star panel of Napa wine producers.

If you’re a wine and/or hospitality professional, this is event is a must! Tap the link in bio to register, and to see the full list of exhibitors.

Walk the Pinot Noir vines with @nova_cadamatre_mw – Master of Wine and Director of Winemaking at Robert Mondavi Winery.

Nova updates us on the growing season so far in Carneros AVA, and highlights what she’s looking for in the grapes at this crucial time in the vineyard.

Robert Mondavi is one the household names of California wine, and his iconic winery is like a temple built to honour boundary-breaking Napa wines. It was Mondavi, after all, who first sought to elevate California winemaking to “high art” back in the 1960s.

Next week, Robert Mondavi Winery will be starring in ‘Seminar Napa Valley’, in partnership with @napavintners and part of our THIS IS US tasting tour for wine professionals. Register at link in bio!

Weekend wine mood! We're basking in memories of th

Weekend wine mood! We're basking in memories of the Cold Hawaii Surf & Film Festival 🌊 🍷 From the beach to the bar, Gnarly Head and Barefoot Wines kept the party flowing through the day and into the night. Thank you to all of the amazing musicians, surfers, foodies, movie makers and, of course, wine lovers who made this weekend one to remember.

Head to @coldhawaiisurfandfilmfestival to find out more.

📷: @cecilia_samsson

They say that beautiful wines are made in beautifu

They say that beautiful wines are made in beautiful places ✨ – a maxim that is certainly true of @staglinfamilyvineyard in the famous Rutherford AVA of Napa Valley.

Organically farmed and solar powered, Staglin is a forward-thinking family estate, known for its site-driven Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay wines, shaped by this area’s unique volcanic soils.

Staglin is just one of the world-class producers starring in this year’s THIS IS US tasting tour – coming to Amsterdam, Hamburg, Stockholm, Warsaw and Oslo in just a few weeks’ time! Tap the link in bio to find out more, and register.

THIS IS US – our 16th biennial tasting tour is c

THIS IS US – our 16th biennial tasting tour is coming to a city near you! 🍷 Join us in Amsterdam, Hamburg, Stockholm, Warsaw or Oslo for a Grand Tasting of California’s most exciting AVAs, from Napa Valley and Sonoma to Santa Barbara and Lodi.

Plus, immerse yourself in California’s Cabernet capital at ‘Seminar Napa Valley’ – two sessions hosted by Master of Wine, Konstantin Baum, Connor Best of @napavintners, and a panel of leading Napa Valley wine producers.

Dates:
20 September - Amsterdam
21 September - Warsaw
23 September - Stockholm
27 September - Hamburg
28 September - Oslo

Tap the link in bio to see the full list of exhibitors, and register!

Not one, but four Californian wines have been list

Not one, but four Californian wines have been listed in the top five ‘Best of the New World’ from the Expovina Wine Trophy Zurich 2021 🇨🇭 published in @vinummagazin.

Francis Ford Coppola 'Director’s Cut' Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon wines from Sonoma took second and third place with the 2017 and 2015 vintages respectively.

While Vina Robles Petite Sirah Estate Wine 2018 from Paso Robles came in fourth, followed by Black Stallion Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 from Napa Valley.

California wine lovers are spoilt for choice in this selection of top reds! Find them at @obristsa and @coop.ch.

Today is #InternationalCabernetDay! 🍷 Which mea

Today is #InternationalCabernetDay! 🍷 Which means celebrating with a bottle of high-class Cabernet Sauvignon like Inglenook’s ‘Rubicon’ (right) from Rutherford – one of Napa Valley’s top AVAs.

The story of ‘Rubicon’ began back in 1987, when the “Godfather” of American film, Francis Ford Coppola decided to make a Bordeaux-style grand vin from his premier Napa vines. He named it ‘Rubicon’ as reference to the famous river crossed by Julius Caesar, thereby declaring his intention to take control of Rome. In the same vein, Francis Ford Coppola intended to make a wine that posed a revolutionary risk.

Did that risk pay off? Many years of 95+ scores would suggest that it did.

Available in Europe:

🇩🇪 @bacchusvinothek
🇳🇱 @best_of_wines
🇨🇭@sonidovino

📷: @inglenook1879

“The California golden summer is shining through

“The California golden summer is shining through our old vine vineyard. It’s hard to find a more beautiful place. The light is enchanting.” – @HoopesVineyard • Oakville, Napa Valley

And they wonder why it’s called ‘The Golden State’…

“@SchugWinery in the Californian winegrowing reg

“@SchugWinery in the Californian winegrowing region of Carneros has its roots in the Rheingau community of Assmannshausen – and you can even taste it their red wines.”

Journalist Peter Badenhop digs into the German, and more specifically Rheingau, roots of California’s famous Schug Winery.

Read Peter’s full article for leading German newspaper, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) at www.faz.net.

Last of the summer wines…! 🌻 It’s Chardonna

Last of the summer wines…! 🌻 It’s Chardonnay all day this #WineWednesday as we celebrate the last days of August with Maycamas Chardonnay 2018. Crafted by an estate dating back to 1889, Mayacamas Vineyards, which is found on the cool and rocky hillsides of Napa’s Mt Veeder AVA.

“Made from decades-old dry-farmed vines planted to the Wente clone in rocky, volcanic soils, this is a stunning wine, flinty, fleshy and expansive, with undeniable minerality. Lemon zest, meringue and pear contrast against persistent acidity and a lasting briny tone that lifts the palate further.” – 96/100 points @wineenthusiast

Available to ship all over Europe 🇪🇺 from @californianwines_eu

Mayacamas will join our all-star panel of vintners in the Napa Valley seminars, part of this year’s ‘THIS IS US’ tasting tour of Europe, taking place 20-28 September. Tap the link in bio to find out more!

📷: @mayacamaswine

Dating back to the 1800s, Lodi’s old Zinfandel v

Dating back to the 1800s, Lodi’s old Zinfandel vines are one of the great wonders of California wine country. These gnarly, ancient beauties are pieces of living history; first brought to this part of California after the Gold Rush – and still producing grapes today!

Pictured here is the Rous Vineyard, planted in 1909 and farmed today by winegrower Craig Rous of @ironstonevineyards. Photographed by @joseph.magnelli.