The American boomerang
When an average wine lover in Europe says “American wine,” in 99 out of 100 times, it is the Californian wine that is implied. Why? The answer lies in an almost detective story initiated in 1976 by Stephen Spurrier, a smart wine merchant who opened a shop in Paris in the 1970s. Outraged by the French’s disdain for American wines, he decided to hold a seditious blind tasting, where he compared the wines of famous French chateaux with those made in California. He invited the most aggressive apologists for Bordeaux and Burgundy to serve as judges. And what do you think? The European experts blindly gave scores to the Californian wines that allowed California to win!
It should be emphasized that indeed, winemaking in these American lands, first dated back to the mid-17th century, did not develop very successfully for a long time. Over time, Americans began to imitate the European styles and plant mostly French grape varieties – Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, etc. Only later did local winemakers in Napa and Sonoma Valleys, in Mendocino, Santa Cruz and other terroirs of the state began to plant their own varieties, primarily Zinfandel, which later gave the Californians those excellent results that were recorded during the Spurrier presentation in Paris.
The most impressive ratings at the Judgement of Paris – the name by which that revolutionary tasting went down in history – were awarded to the American Chateau Montelena. While the 1976 Judgment of Paris remains a defining moment, it is only one chapter in the winery’s long journey. For over fifty years, under the ownership of the Barrett family, Chateau Montelena has been fostering a deep understanding of its vineyards, embracing the particularities of each harvest. The philosophy consists in capturing the essence of each growing season, allowing nature to express itself through each vintage, rather than in recreating the same taste year by year.
And nowadays, the winery, which maintains the status of one of the best productions in Napa Valley, has joined the WTA community – and if you are reading these lines, you can become a part of this legend of the world winemaking by voting for Chateau Montelena.
Incidentally, at the Judgement of Paris, next to Chateau Montelena, another winery was listed, which nowadays also stands side by side in the WTA project: it is one of the oldest Californian producers – Ridge Vineyards (nominee of the Wine Travel Awards).
These American wineries then threw some kind of the interest-boosting boomerang towards Europe, which has since returned and now plies again between the continents. It should be emphasized that California still maintains the status of the “mecca of American production”. Incidentally, California is nominated by the Wine Travel Awards project in 2025 as the Region of the Year: California Wines – Wine Travel Awards; and together with it, under the auspices of California Wines, a constellation of outstanding Californians has gathered in the current release of the award.
The name alone says a lot: Robert Mondavi Winery! For nearly six decades, Robert Mondavi Winery has been a beacon of innovation, excellence, and craftsmanship in Napa Valley. A true pioneer, Robert Mondavi not only shaped the region’s wine industry, but also set the standards, which have been resonating around the world. Today, Robert Mondavi Winery has vineyards in various parts of Napa and Sonoma Valleys.
Followers of the WTA, good wines, and exciting wine roads have the opportunity to get to know the vineyards and wines of Robert Mondavi and, of course, vote for the renowned winery.
Another participant in our review is Duckhorn Vineyards. This winery also needs no introduction to connoisseurs of the premium wines. Founded by Dan and Margaret Duckhorn in 1976, Duckhorn Vineyards has spent almost fifty years to become one of the leading wine producers in Napa Valley. What their vineyards are telling us today – you may just find out and vote. And if you are in California, do not miss a big event: Duckhorn Vineyards offers a wine Derby Party. In 2025, the 10th annual party will be held on May 3.
In addition, this year’s awards included such notable producers as The Silver Oak Winery and Dunn Vineyards. The latter has a vineyard in the unique Howell Mountain terroir with the official status of an AVA subregion. The prominent wine critic Antonio Galloni wrote about these wines: “These Cabernets are for the patient, but make no mistake about it, in top vintages the Howell Mountain is one of the great wines, not just of California, but of the world”.
The reverse-direction flight of that American interest-boosting boomerang, which was launched during the Judgment of Paris, resulted in the 2020 acquisition of a California winery, now called Cathiard Vineyard’s, by Bordeaux wine tourism pioneers Florence and Daniel Cathiard, owners of the famous French Château Smith Haut Lafitte. They purchased the estate with vineyards in the Rutherford and St. Helena American Viticultural Area (AVA) once they had fallen in love with its biodiversity. Now, you can learn about this brilliant project, support our nominees, and cast a vote for these outstanding winemakers who are building a bridge between America and Europe.
And here, we should mention another channel of communication or rather of transportation, which satisfies the interests of wine lovers from the Old and New Worlds – this is Expedia Cruises. This cruise company, a world leader in the luxury tourism segment, which has been operating since 1987, recently became the first one in the world to develop such area of its activity as niche wine cruises. Due to this innovative idea, today, wine tourists who are setting off on the world’s wine roads can boldly say: “Off we sail!” instead of the traditional “Off we go!”))
Wine cruises, led by a prominent figure in wine tourism and leading wine expert Paul Wagner, offer an unrivaled combination of luxury, education, and adventure. From the sun-drenched vineyards of Napa Valley to the ancient terraces of Georgia and Armenia, Expedia Cruises deliver passengers to the heart of the world’s most famous wine-making regions. Guests enjoy exclusive tastings, wine-pairing dinners, and private meetings with winemakers and sommeliers. These cruises create a sense of community and connection, from tasting the wines of Châteauneuf-du-Pape in Avignon to exploring Portugal’s Douro Valley. Due to the innovation and inclusivity, Expedia Cruises is changing the world of wine tourism by offering a dynamic, immersive alternative to traditional vineyard visits. Their wine cruises emphasize storytelling and education, creating a deeper connection between guests and the wines they are tasting. This approach transforms guests into the informed enthusiasts. It’s no wonder the WTA team was eager to bring Expedia Cruises on board – and we invite you to check out the tour operator’s innovative offerings and vote for them.
As concerns the interconnections among the wine regions and continents, we feel compelled to point out the brightest American influencers, representatives of the information sector, who provide unique data regarding new wine releases, locations, routes; who connect worlds and discover new tastes and directions. Our recommendation is as follows: refer to the creativity of these personalities, choose for yourself the best source of information about the boundless world of wine and wine tourism. And support your favorites with likes during voting! We present our nominees – influencers and colleagues from the American continent and allow ourselves a small sentimental remark: our hearts belong to each of them!
Gwendolyn Alley is a poetess, traveler, college teacher, and wine writer. She won the 2022 Jancis Robinson Regenerative Agriculture Essay Competition.
Dr. Elizabeth Smith is a writer, wine competition judge, and distinguished literary figure. She is also the Creative Partner and Marketing Director of Danube Wines, a wine importer and retailer based in Bristol (UK), specializing in Central European wines. Dr. Elizabeth Smith is a regular participant of the Wine Travel Awards and the winner of the award’s public vote.
Allison Levine is the owner of Please The Palate, an agency specializing in marketing and event planning for the wine and spirits industry. With over 15 years of experience in communications, marketing, and event planning, Allison is passionate about the world and the people living in it. Allison holds a Master’s degree in International Communications with a major in Cross-Cultural Studies from American University School of International Service, a WSET Level 3 Certificate, and is a member of the Circle of Wine Writers.
Susana Ochoa Vega is a prominent sommelier, journalist, and TV presenter from Quebec. She is the producer and host of the popular television program about the world of wine and gastronomy, La Beauté du Vin, which reaches over 600,000 viewers every week.
The Wine Future International Wine Conference is a collective source of unique ideas and information. For more than 10 years, it has served as a platform for authoritative figures in the wine business to meet and exchange ideas. Wine Future 2025 will be held from November 13 to 15 in Miami, at Florida International University (FIU). This year’s theme is confronting 10 major challenges which are currently affecting the wine industry and the wine tourism sector.
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