For the first time, the annual Golden State Tasting will be taking place in Scotland, with the aim of capitalising on the popularity of Californian wines. The tastings will take place both in London and Edinburgh and will feature around 70 wineries from the four leading importers from California: Flint Wines, Roberson Wine, The Vineyard Cellars and The Wine Treasury.
The Golden State agents hope that by bringing the tasting into Edinburgh, they will attract more US tourists to the second most visited city in the UK. Tourists from North America exceeded 3.8 million in 2017, a 14% increase on the previous year. The producers also said that Californians and New Yorkers account for 25% of Americans visiting the UK and when they come they want to drink premium Californian wines.
The London tasting will take place on Monday, the 14th of May at Avenue restaurant in St James’s, London, featuring the wineries destined for independent retailers and the on-trade. Two days later, on Wednesday the 16th of May, the Scottish tasting will take place at The Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh. Wineries attending include Arnot Robert, Duckhorn, Lutum Wines, Mail Road Wines, Peter Michael Winery, Rudd Estate, Sandhi Wines and Silver Oak.
“Scotland’s burgeoning fine dining scene with its focus on the finest beef and seafood, and wealth of specialist independents makes it the perfect destination for top Californian wines,” said James Hocking of The Vineyard Cellars.
The tasting, which has a focus on premium, boutique, Californian wines, was originally created by Hocking and Rory Benham of The Wine Treasury, with Roberson joining in 2015 and Flint Wines in 2017.
