California Wines is set to return to Australia in 2026 with its national trade roadshow, building on the strong debut of its inaugural tour last year.

The Discover the Golden State of Wine tour will visit Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, delivering a program of tastings and masterclasses aimed at showcasing the diversity of Californian wine styles, varieties and regional expressions to the local trade.

The 2025 tour marked a milestone for the US category, recognised as one of the largest official tastings delivered by a wine industry body in Australia, and the 2026 edition is expected to further strengthen engagement with importers, distributors and on-premise operators.

Golden State of Wine

Hiro Tejima, Joint Regional Director of North Asia & Australasia at California Wines said: "Following the success of our inaugural tour, we are excited to return for a second year, building on the strong connections established with our distribution partners. This next chapter allows us to deepen those relationships while continuing to showcase the diversity and quality of California wines."

A key feature of this year's program will be the Australian debut of Kelli A. White, who will lead two masterclasses in each city: 'Napa Valley, Reconsidered' and 'Chardonnay and Pinot Noir of California - by site and by style'.

Tejima added: "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."

North Asia & Australasia

Sydney and Melbourne events will also feature visiting Californian producers, including Andy Peay of Peay Vineyards (Sydney only) and Jody Bogle of Bogle Family Vineyards, providing insights into winemaking, winery history and future industry trends.

The tasting line-up will include established labels such as Robert Mondavi, Chateau Montelena, Ridge Vineyards and Matthiasson, alongside 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 held in Sydney and Melbourne, while Brisbane will host masterclass sessions only, reflecting continued demand for education-led trade engagement across the Australian market.

Ridge Vineyards and Matthiasson

Wednesday, 13 May at Supernormal Riverside, 443 Queen St, Brisbane City QLD 4000

Thursday, 21 May at Zinc Fed Square, Cnr Birrarung Marr Walk &, Russell St Ext, VIC 3000

All events are free, but registration is required, and confirmation is required for the masterclasses as numbers are strictly limited. You can register your interest here.

A key feature of this year's program will be the Australian debut of Kelli A.

Why this lands now

Drinks trends tend to start in a handful of bars and take years to reach a supermarket shelf. By the time something feels ubiquitous, the people who cared about it first have usually moved on.

The short version

  • California Wines is set to return to Australia in 2026 with its national trade roadshow, building on the strong debut of its inaugural tour last year
  • The Discover the Golden State of Wine tour will visit Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, delivering a program of tastings and masterclasses aimed at showcasing the diversity of Californian wine styles, varieties and regional expressions to the local trade
  • Hiro Tejima, Joint Regional Director of North Asia & Australasia at California Wines said: "Following the success of our inaugural tour, we are excited to return for a second year, building on the strong connections established with our distribution partners
  • A key feature of this year's program will be the Australian debut of Kelli A
  • Sydney and Melbourne events will also feature visiting Californian producers, including Andy Peay of Peay Vineyards (Sydney only) and Jody Bogle of Bogle Family Vineyards, providing insights into winemaking, winery history and future industry trends

The questions it raises

What should you know about California Wine Export Program?

Tejima added: "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.".

What happens next?

California Wines is set to return to Australia in 2026 with its national trade roadshow, building on the strong debut of its inaugural tour last year.

The bottom line

How this plays out on the drinks list will take time to become clear. For now it is a development worth following rather than judging.