The Winery Kastania of Sonoma County of California

In many cases, the winter storms that have lashed California have resulted in tragedy, severe property loss, and the deaths of at least 20 people. In a state that has been in the grips of drought for 20 years, it is a complicated scenario where the much-needed rain is a welcome respite. As an illustration of the chaos that climate change has brought to California’s weather patterns, the Los Angeles Times reported on 14 December that the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California had just ...

Given the sheer climatic diversity, the California 2022 harvest was a story of variability, specific varieties and varied approaches to making it all work out. Yields are down, nearly across the board. Still, winemakers and vineyard managers report high-quality fruit throughout the state, and the prediction is that the potential for fantastic, complex wines is high. There was tremendous variability up and down (as well as across) the state. An uneven growing season, with uneven effects throughou ...

Inside the January 2023 issue of Decanter magazine: FEATURES Wines of the Year The best wines of 2022, nominated and retasted by Decanter experts Anniversary wines for 2023 Anthony Rose picks out his perfect wines for 2023’s big celebrations Vintage preview: Burgundy 2021 A difficult vintage but some great wines, writes Charles Curtis MW Sonoma County’s cool side Brooke Herron profiles three of the region’s cool-climate AVAs Bag in box – a Decanter guide Natalie Earl on the 25 best bag in box wi ...