As a sommelier with more than seven years of experience putting together wine lists and giving clients advice on how to pair wines, I have a lot of respect for the people who are breaking new ground in California’s wine business. Read below about “6 Iconic California Wines That Changed the Industry in 2024”.
For decades, this beautiful state has been at the heart of American winemaking, making some of the most famous wines in the world.
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6 Iconic California Wines That Changed the Industry in 2024
During my time in the business, I’ve seen directly how some California wines have changed the way wine is made, what people like, and even larger cultural trends. I’d like to think about six wines that had a big effect on the California wine scene and beyond over the last few years as 2024 comes to a close.
1. Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 1970
The famous 1970 Cabernet Sauvignon from Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars has to be on any list of famous California wines. This wine shocked French wine experts when it won the prestigious 1976 Judgement of Paris tasting. It made Napa Valley famous around the world for its wines.
As a student of wine history and a working chef at the time, I remember very clearly how this victory made everyone in the state’s wine community feel happy and excited. It gave our local winemakers new hope that they could make wines as good as those from French farms that are hundreds of years old.
Since then, Napa Cabs have grown to be some of the most known and sought-after in the world. When I give advice to clients, I often talk about how Stag’s Leap helped define the classic Napa style as one of balanced grace and restrained power. That wine paved the way for the rise of good wine in the United States.
2. Sine Qua Non Imposter McCoy Syrah 2013
I love traditional wines, but some of my favorite California wines are the ones that try new things and break the rules. Take Sine Qua Non, a cult winery that makes some of the most sought-after wines in the state with unique blends and names.
Manfred Krankl, a winemaker, has been playing around with Rhône grapes since the mid-1990s to make wines that are truly one-of-a-kind. The 2013 Imposter McCoy Syrah from Sine Qua Non has a lot of ripe fruit and a minerality that’s almost electric. It’s one of the most unique Syrahs I’ve ever tried.
This wine is not only very good, but it also shows the artistic spirit that makes California unique. With our unique terroir and innovative winemakers, we can make wines that surprise, please, and break the rules. People often get very excited about what’s possible in the glass when I suggest or serve one.
3. Blooms Pinot Noir Sea View Ridge 2015
When Pinot Noir left its home region of Burgundy to become famous around the world, the Sonoma Coast in California became one of its new homes. The cool weather and ocean-influenced slopes make it possible for ethereal, complicated Pinots to grow.
The Sea View Ridge Pinot Noir from Flowers Winery shows how good Sonoma Pinot can be. I still remember when the 2015 batch came out. It was full and complex, with a brightness that lit up the palate. It was a surprise how well Pinot could manage richness and finesse.
Flowers and other winemakers have continued to push Pinot Noir in Sonoma over the years. This is the wine that comes to mind as the best whenever I suggest a local Pinot to a customer or choose a bottle for my own store. It shows how exciting the future of Sonoma Pinot will be.
4. Ridge The 2016 Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon
Ridge Vineyards has been making Cabernets and Zinfandels that will age well for over 50 years. It is one of California’s most famous farms. Their Monte Bello Cabernet comes from vineyards in the Santa Cruz Mountains that are up to 2600 feet high. It is a classic example of the complex Cabs growing in that area.
Ridge’s 2016 vintage is one of their best in recent memory, and I’ve been excitedly following it since it came out. Now that it has been aged for seven years, it shows off the magical texture that time adds to these site-expressive reds. It has a lot of concentrated black fruit and lovely secondary notes of pencil shavings, dried herbs, and wet earth that show off Santa Cruz’s unique soil.
This wine always impresses fans and wine experts when I show it to them. It shows the complex, refined wines that can only be made in California’s best areas and by the best winemakers. Ridge is an icon, and the 2016 Monte Bello shows why. It has a beautiful evolution and the right balance of fruit, earth, and structure.
5. Martha Stoumen After a Date Red Blend 2020
I respect Ridge’s 50-year history, but I’m also excited about the next generation of natural winemakers in California. They’re making some of the most bright and clear wines around by taking a light-handed, non-interfering approach.
One of my favorite young producers to keep an eye on is Martha Stoumen. Her Post Flirtation Red, which is a mix of Valdiguié, Carignane, and Zinfandel, tastes like pure Mendocino County fruit and is so juicy it will make your lips pucker. As natural wines become more popular, Martha’s wines show how exciting and tasty this style can be.
When I make wine lists or give people advice, I often include new winemakers like Martha along with well-known ones. Wines like the happy, crunchy Post Flirtation tell me that California is still a place where new ideas are born and where many new icons are being made.
6. Matthiasson The 2018 Linda Vista Chardonnay
Steve and Jill Matthiasson are two of the best small-scale winemakers in Napa. Many people think of Napa as the place for big, bold Cabernets. The Matthiassons, on the other hand, make a wide range of white and red wines with an emphasis on balance, depth, and structure that will hold up over time.
It comes from a farm high above Napa Valley and is one of the best Chardonnays in California. The 2018 batch has the right amount of richness and freshness, with flavors of stone fruit and lemon curd layered on top of smoky minerality. As someone who likes to pair wines with food, I like this kind of Chardonnay because it makes a statement while still being classy at the table.
This wine is a great example of the world-class Chardonnays that Napa can make. When buyers ask me about California wines that will age well, Linda Vista is often the first wine that comes to mind because it shows how well-made and site-specific our Chardonnays can be. I think this wine will keep getting better and better over the next ten years.
Looking Ahead as a Business
When I think about these six wines that have changed California’s wine scene in the last few years, a few main ideas come to mind:
- To begin, creativity is still one of our best qualities. We keep breaking new ground with new styles and methods, from wineries like Sine Qua Non that push the limits to natural winemakers like Martha Stoumen.
- At the same time, wines like Ridge’s Monte Bello show how important it is to carry on the tradition of making great wine and learn from the mistakes of others.
- In addition, we can see how diverse our soil is. From the Sonoma Coast to the Santa Cruz Mountains to Napa Valley, these different places make wines that really show where they come from.
As a wine worker and a wine lover, I’m thankful to be able to work with such a wide range of famous wines in my home state. It’s been fun to see customers find and interact with these unique bottles over dinners with friends, blind tastings, and chill nights out. I hope you like reading “6 Iconic California Wines That Changed the Industry in 2024”.
Catherine Previti is a seasoned wine enthusiast with over 8 years of experience in wine tasting and beverage curation. Holding a degree in Viticulture and Enology, she shares expert insights on Vedrinks.com, helping readers navigate the world of wine with confidence. Connect with Catherine on Instagram.
