CALIFORNIA WINE NEWSLETTER
July 2026

*K&L Domestic Wine Buyer Ryan Woodhouse at our New York City location.*

The 2023 Napa Valley vintage is as good as anything I've tasted in years—and the pricing, somehow, is better than ever. Dominus released their 100-point 2023 at a lower price than the 2021! It's a rare combination: an exceptional-quality vintage paired with more favorable pricing. No complaints from me!

For those of you who think California means big, hot, and heavy: I promise you, the coast has other ideas. Bodega Bay is cooler than Beaune in July. The data doesn't lie, and neither do the wines.

And then there are the deals. I'm not going to bury the lede—we have a Rhône blend from the winemaker behind Tyler for $9.95. I told our sales team it might be the finest value in our entire inventory. Most of them agreed.

Finally, summer is here, the fridge should never be empty, and I have opinions about what goes in it. Let's get into it.

— Ryan Woodhouse, K&L Domestic Wine Buyer

THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS

2023 Napa Valley: A Vintage for the Ages
California Coast: Cooler Than Beaune
The Deals You Shouldn't Miss: Load Up and Drink Like a King
The Best Summer Wines for 2026: Crisp, Fresh, and Ready to Chill

2023 NAPA VALLEY:
A Vintage for the Ages

The 2023 vintage in Napa Valley is truly special. A long, cool growing season with no heat spikes and no wildfire threats allowed winemakers to pick at perfect ripeness — a return to the "old normal" that has the whole valley excited. The wines show wonderful purity of fruit, powerful structure, and an excellent balance of richness and acidity. Many are approachable young. All will age beautifully. And Dominus released their multi-100-point 2023 at a lower price than previous vintages. An exceptional vintage paired with more favorable pricing. No complaints from me. Read Ryan Woodhouse's full vintage report On The Trail.

*Napa 2023—an exceptional vintage with favorable pricing*

2023 Faust Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 96 $49.95 View
2023 Turnbull "Estate" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon $49.95 View
2023 Dominus "Napanook" Napa Valley Bordeaux Blend 97 $79.95 View
2023 Familiar Air Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 96 $89.95 View
2023 Baker & Hamilton Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 96 $69.95 View
2023 Nickel & Nickel "John C. Sullenger Vineyard" Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 96 $89.95 View
2023 Favia Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 98 $149.95 View
2023 Dominus Napa Valley Bordeaux Blend 100 $249.95 View
2023 Spottswoode "Estate" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (Pre-Arrival) 100 $289.95 View

CALIFORNIA COAST:
Cooler Than Beaune

Coastal California is actually one of the coolest, most moderate growing regions anywhere on the planet. Bodega Bay — minutes from vineyards like Cobb, RAEN, and Anthill — is more than 10°F cooler than Beaune during the prime growing months. Some of the most genuinely cool-climate wines in the world are being made right here. Read Ryan's full case for the California coast On The Trail.

*Cobb Vineyard, looking out to Bodega Bay*

CHARDONNAY

2023 Ernest Sonoma Coast Chardonnay (Elsewhere $30) 95 $19.95 View
2023 Cobb Sonoma Coast Chardonnay (Elsewhere $45) $29.95 View
2023 Alma Rosa Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay (Elsewhere $40) 95 $29.95 View
2023 I. Brand & Family "Escolle Vineyard" Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay (Elsewhere $40) 97 $29.95 View
2023 Anthill Farms "Campbell Ranch" Sonoma Coast Chardonnay (Elsewhere $50) 95 $29.95 View

PINOT NOIR

2024 Assiduous "Lilo Vineyard" Santa Cruz Mountain Pinot Noir 93 $29.95 View
2023 Alma Rosa Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir (Elsewhere $40) 94 $29.95 View
2021 Cobb "Doc's Ranch Vineyard" Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir (Elsewhere $90) 97 $69.95 View
2024 Raen "Royal St. Robert Cuvée" Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 99 $73.95 View
2023 The Hilt "Radian Vineyard" Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir 99 $94.95 View

THE DEALS YOU SHOULDN'T MISS:
Load Up and Drink Like a King

If you've been paying attention to our email blasts in recent months—especially the Insider’s Advantage offers—you’ve probably gathered by now that there are some exceptional deals to be had in the wine world right now… So, in that spirit, I put together some of the most ridiculous deals we have in inventory right now, so you can load up and drink like a king on a peasant’s budget. Read more On The Trail.

Deals not to be missed

2022 Overshine "Chalone Vineyard" Chalone Chardonnay (Elsewhere $40) $14.95 View
2022 Overshine "Chalone Vineyard" Chalone Pinot Noir (Elsewhere $50) $14.95 View
2022 Mallea (Tyler) Santa Barbara County Rhône Red Blend $9.95 View
2023 Brick & Mortar Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir (Elsewhere $30) $14.95 View
2023 J.C. Somers "Croft Vineyard" Willamette Valley Sauvignon Blanc (Elsewhere $30) $14.95 View
2021 Tatomer Santa Barbara County Grüner Veltliner (Elsewhere $25) $14.95 View
2023 Monte Rio "Old Vines" Lodi Zinfandel (Elsewhere $30) $14.95 View
2024 Grounded Wine Co. California Cabernet Sauvignon $14.95 View

THE BEST SUMMER WINES FOR 2026:
Crisp, Fresh, and Ready to Chill

With the summer solstice already in the rearview mirror and 4th of July celebrations in full effect for America’s 250th birthday, I figured I should talk a little about some of the crispest, most refreshing wines in our selection. As a lover of white and rosé wines in general, I can’t get enough of wines that enliven the palate—wines that need nothing more than a little sunshine to pair with them. When the opportunity for some day drinking reveals itself, I like to be ready to roll. So let’s keep the fridge stocked, the cooler bag at the ready, and something zesty and refreshing always within arm’s reach. Read more On The Trail.

What's in Ryan's fridge right now

2025 Anonymous Wine Collective Oakville Sauvignon Blanc (Elsewhere $60) $24.95 View
2023 Acumen "Peak" Atlas Peak Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc (Elsewhere $55) $19.95 View
2023 DIRT "Mariah Estate Vineyard" Mendocino Ridge Sauvignon Blanc $24.95 View
2024 Tatomer "Steinhugel" Santa Lucia Highlands Riesling $19.95 View
2025 Pax "Helios" California Chenin Blanc $19.95 View
2025 La Marea "Kristy Vineyard" Monterey County Albariño $19.95 View
2025 Zeitgeist "Fanucchi-Wood Road Vineyard" Russian River Valley Trousseau Gris $21.95 View
2024 Assiduous "Basor Vineyard" Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Gris $19.95 View
2025 Vaughn Duffy Sonoma County Rosé of Pinot Noir $16.95 View
2023 Ellsworth "Blouge" Nevada County Sierra Foothills Rosé $24.95 View