The trade tour will return to Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne for 2026. Images supplied
The California Wines trade tour ‘Discover the Golden State of Wine’ will return to Australia for 2026, with events being held across Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.
Tastings and masterclasses will focus on “showcasing diversity in style, variety and regionality in Californian wines to the local market, while allowing for new educational and networking opportunities”.
Author and wine educator Kelli A. White will visit Australia for the first time for the masterclasses, holding two separate sessions in each city called ‘Napa Valley, Reconsidered’ and ‘Chardonnay and Pinot Noir of California – by site and by style’.
The Sydney and Melbourne events will be joined by California vintners Andy Peay of Peay Vineyards (Sydney only) and Jody Bogle of Bogle Family Vineyards, who will share insights into their winemaking processes, the history of their wineries, and their perspectives on the future of the industry.
Hiro Tejima, joint regional director of North Asia and Australasia at California Wines, said that following the success of last year’s tour, the organisers are excited to return to Australia.
“This next chapter allows us to deepen those relationships while continuing to showcase the diversity and quality of California wines.
“We’re also looking forward to having Kelli White lead this year’s masterclass sessions, and winery members of the California Wine Export Program joining us in Australia, offering their expertise and ‘real faces’ of the Golden State of wine,” Tejima said.
This year will feature a doubled varietals available to sample in the new-to-market section in addition to premium brands that can already be found around Australia. Labels such as Robert Mondavi, Chateau Montelena, Ridge Vineyards and Matthiasson will be on offer as well as new-to-market wines from the California Wine Export Program including Silver Oak, J. Lohr, Brewer-Clifton and Trinchero Family Estates.
A full program of tastings and masterclasses will be hosted in Sydney and Melbourne. Only masterclasses will be available in Brisbane. All events are free; however, registration is required and confirmation of numbers is needed for masterclasses which are strictly limited. RSVPs are being taken here.
Details are available below:
Brisbane (Masterclasses Only):
Wednesday, May 13th at Supernormal Riverside, 443 Queen St, Brisbane City QLD 4000
Masterclass #1 “Chardonnay and Pinot Noir of California – by site and by style”:
12-1:30pm
Masterclass #2 “Napa Valley, Reconsidered”: 2:30 – 4pm
Sydney Trade Tour and Masterclass:
Tuesday, May 19th at Saltbox, 399 Cleveland St, Redfern NSW 2016
Masterclass #1 “Chardonnay and Pinot Noir of California – by site and by style”: 11:00-12:30pm
Masterclass #2 “Napa Valley, Reconsidered”: 2:00 – 3:30pm
Trade Tasting: 1:00 -4:30pm
Melbourne Trade Tour and Masterclass:
Thursday, May 21st at Zinc Fed Square, Cnr Birrarung Marr Walk &, Russell St Ext, VIC 3000
Masterclass #1 “Napa Valley, Reconsidered”: 11:00-12:30pm
Masterclass #2 “Chardonnay and Pinot Noir of California – by site and by style”: 2:00 – 3:30pm
Trade Tasting: 1:00 -4:30pm
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