California vintage guide

Shafer drops lawsuit over 'Hillside Select' name

Napa Valley's Shafer winery has agreed to drop legal action against nearby rival Howell Mountain Vineyards over use of the Hillside Select name on wine labels.

Graphic: California leads global vineyard price rises

Data from estate agency Knight Frank shows that Sonoma in California has seen some of the steepest rises in vineyard prices. See the charts below for more details.

California winery Kosta Browne gets new majority owner

A US-based private equity company has bought a majority stake in Kosta Browne, a California winery with a cult following that sells its signature Pinot Noir for $100-a-bottle.

French Laundry DRC thieves probably 'had buyer in place'

Finding $300,000 worth of Domaine de la Romanee-Conti and Screaming Eagle wines stolen from California restaurant The French Laundry on Christmas Day could be more difficult than is hoped, according to experts.

Thieves steal $300,000 of DRC and Screaming Eagle from The French Laundry

Burglars who stole $300,000 worth of Domaine de la Romanee-Conti and Screaming Eagle wines from one of California's best known restaurants, The French Laundry, will find it hard to sell the bottles on, according to the restaurant's owner.

Monterey: Frontier fever

With its dramatic vistas Monterey may seem like the Wild West, but its lack of rules and remarkable terrain are responsible for some of California’s most exhilarating – and often inexpensive – wines, reports Jane Anson

The Decanter interview: Philippe Bascaules

The former Château Margaux winemaker was persuaded by Francis Ford Coppola to join his historic Californian winery to help 'honour its heritage and restore its legacy'. Midway through his contract, Jane Anson catches up with him...

California cult winemaker 'improving' after bike crash

The winemaker and co-owner of highly regarded Sine Qua Non in California remains in hospital after crashing his motorbike, but has shown signs of improvement.

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars opens $7m visitor centre

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars has opened a $7m visitor centre that allows tourists to sample wines while looking out across the vineyard that delivered the estate's victory against Bordeaux in the 1976 Judgement of Paris tasting.

Decanter travel guide: Anderson Valley, California

An oasis from Napa’s glitz and glamour, this is the wine region to visit for unpretentious dining, redwood forests and excellent Pinot Noir, says Stephen Brook

Earthquake cost to Napa wineries tops $80m

Spilt wine has accounted for the bulk of wineries' estimated financial losses following California's worst earthquake for 25 years, with total costs now believed to be more than $80m.

Sonoma Harvest Wine Auction smashes record

The annual Sonoma Harvest Wine Auction has raised $4m, close to three times more than the event's previous record of $1.4m set in 2013.

Napa quake winery damage nears $50m

California's biggest earthquake for 25 years caused close to $50m of damage at wineries and farms in Napa, according to an initial estimate that experts believe is still set to rise.

Napa Valley Vintners pledges $10m to quake relief

Napa's main wine trade body has pledged $10m to a disaster relief fund as local wineries pick through barrels strewn across their cellars by the most powerful earthquake in Northern California for 25 years.

Napa quake is a 'wake up call' for wineries

A powerful earthquake that rocked winery buildings and threw barrels across cellars near Napa in California should act as a warning to producers, some winemakers believe.

Napa wineries rocked by powerful earthquake

The most powerful earthquake to hit northern California for 25 years has left more than 100 injured and wreaked havoc in wine cellars across Napa Valley and Sonoma County on the eve of harvest.

Harlan Estate: Producer profile

William Kelley tastes a 12 vintage vertical of this 'Californian first growth'...

Winemakers rally to oppose ban on new vineyards in newly-created Malibu Coast AVA

Only months after the creation of the new Malibu Cast AVA, winemakers are battling with local authorities to stop a ban on new vineyard plantings coming into force.

Drought fails to dampen California spirits for 2014 harvest

Many winemakers in California believe the state's drought will not drastically affect this year's harvest, which they say is running two weeks early and is expected to yield a healthy crop.

Decanter travel guide: Santa Barbara, California

Individuality is the watchword in this still-emerging region, says Katie Kelly Bell. Visit soon for a taste of California’s frontier spirit...

Gallo family fortune close to $10bn

The Gallo family, which owns one of the world's biggest wine producers, has been named as one of the richest familiies in the US in a new ranking by Forbes magazine.