Golden State Icons: A Californian Wine Masterclass

West London Wine School is delighted to invite you on a journey through the vineyards of California—home to some of Americas most celebrated and distinctive wines. This specialist tasting will explore a curated selection of iconic producers and benchmark styles, from the bold elegance of Napa Cabernet Sauvignon to the refined expressions of Santa Barbara Chardonnay and beyond.

This evening's lineup showcases a diverse cross-section of California’s most expressive and thoughtful winemaking. We begin with a trio of remarkable Chardonnays that reflect the state’s cooler coastal influences—from the restrained elegance of Sandhi’s Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay 2022, to the structured, mountain-grown depth of Smith-Madrone’s 2018 Chardonnay from Spring Mountain, and the nuanced, Burgundian styling of Au Bon Climat’s ‘Like Minds’ 2022 from Santa Maria Valley. Complementing these is the beautifully textured Birichino Chenin Blanc 2021, sourced from the old vines of Jurassic Park Vineyard in Santa Ynez—an example of California’s growing reverence for heritage sites and lesser-seen varietals.

Moving into reds, we’ll explore the fresh, coastal lift of Field Recordings’ Wonderwall Pinot Noir 2019 from Edna Valley, before stepping into more structured territory with Drew’s Faîte De Mar Pinot Noir 2020 from the fog-laced ridges of Mendocino. The Rhône-inspired Bedrock Evangelho Vineyard 2019, grown in sandy Contra Costa soils, offers a fascinating look at California’s historic field blends. Finally, we close with a classic expression of Napa power and finesse in the Long Meadow Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon 2018—a wine that bridges tradition and modern precision from the heart of the Valley.

Wines on Tasting (8):

Sandhi Chardonnay, Sta. Rita Hills 2022

Smith Madrone Chardonnay, Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley 2018

Au Bon Climat ‘Like Minds’ Chardonnay, Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara 2022

Drew Faite de Mar Farm, Mendocino Ridge 2020

Bedrock Wine Co. Evangelho Vineyard, Contra Costa County 2019

Long Meadow Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2018

Birichino Jurassic Park Chenin Blanc, Santa Ynez Valley 2021

Field Recordings Wonderwall Pinot Noir, Edna Valley 2019