The 2026 edition of The Wine Merchant’s California Collection supplement has been published, highlighting some of the Golden State’s most indie-friendly wines.

This year’s selection was made by eight merchants. They were Jen Avina (Damn Yankee, London); Jack Baldock (Broadway Cellars, Cambridgeshire); Leo Bruton-Simmonds (The Salusbury Wine Store, London); Blaine Nissen (Kabinett Vinbar, Rugby); Ed Dallimore (Crystal Palace Wine Club, London); Ryan Jarovides (Pomus, Margate); Virginia Myers (Tenaya, Sheffield); and Mark Wrigglesworth (The Good Wine Shop, London).

Wine Merchant editor Graham Holter says: “Once again, our California Collection winners demonstrate that there’s no shortage of interesting wines being imported, and at prices that, while undoubtedly premium, often represent terrific value when benchmarked against their European peers.”

Jen Avina of Damn Yankee says: “I was born and raised in California and part of the reason I opened Damn Yankee was because I wanted to introduce more Californian wine into the UK.

“Younger generations are increasingly open to drinking wine from around the world, from small terroir-focused producers … California is making those types of wines beautifully.

“Many more wines are coming over from various regions and people are starting to understand Californian regionality through grape varieties they’re familiar with. Whether it’s Pinot or Chardonnay or Cabernet, the door is opening for people to come and explore the diversity of California.”

The online version of The California Collection is available here.