As the days grow longer and spring fills the air, now is the perfect time to gather friends and family.

Whether celebrating Mother’s Day, Easter or simply nature’s blooms, toast to new beginnings with a glass of versatile and affordable Californian wine.

From the sun-kissed vineyards of Napa Valley to the rolling hills of Sonoma County, California is home to a wide variety of wines that offer something special for everyone.

The crisp notes of Dark Horse Chardonnay are perfect for long lunches al fresco whilst Barefoot Pinot Grigio and Merlot are definite crowd-pleasers. Elegant and smooth Mark West Pinot Noir is a great choice for casual get-togethers through to elaborate dinners. For a bold finish, raise a glass of Apothic Cab, rich with flavour and perfect for making any moment feel special.

Which wine will you pick this Spring?

Dark Horse Chardonnay

RRP £10.00, available from retailers nationwide

This is a rich Chardonnay, with notes of apple and ripe stone fruit layered with toasted oak. This is a perfect accompaniment for most white meat and fish dishes including grilled squid, pan-fried pollock, roast chicken, or smoked salmon and scrambled eggs.

Barefoot Pinot Grigio

RRP £8.00, available from retailers nationwide

Crisp, fruity and light-bodied, it’s no surprise that Barefoot Pinot Grigio is the UK’s No1 Pinot Grigio1. Bursting peach, green apple, and floral aromas, it is the ideal accompaniment to a fresh spring day. Pair it with pizza, pasta, and seafood. Alternatively, it’s sharp enough to hold its own alongside a spicy dish – why not be bold?

Mark West Pinot Noir

RRP £12.00, available from retailers nationwide

Mark West has been devoted to perfecting its Pinot Noir since 1978, so it’s no surprise that it is one of the US’ favourite Pinot Noir . Offering aromas of strawberry, black cherry, and plum, this wine seamlessly complements roasted pork or grilled salmon.

Apothic Cab, 13.5%

RRP £10.50 Available from retailers nationwide

Silky and elegant, Apothic Cab offers flavours of blueberry, blackberry jam, and dark plum, with soft tannins for a rich mouthfeel. Cherry and dark fruit notes, with a touch of spice, make this the perfect companion for a cheeseboard with sticky chutneys and ripe figs.

Barefoot Merlot, 13.5%

RRP £8.50 Available from retailer nationwide

Approachable and adaptable, Barefoot Merlot suits all spring occasions. Indulge in a glass with friends after a long day, or elevate your festival drinks selection with this velvety red. Tempting drinkers with flavours of blackberry, raspberry and chocolate. It pairs perfectly with a spring lunchtime spread, including meat dishes, pasta plates and a selection of cheese.

Dark Horse
Working side-by-side with 400 of California’s finest grape growers to earn the first pick of their harvest, Dark Horse brings you exceptionally crafted and well-balanced wine that over-delivers on your expectations. The wines are tasted 100 times before they are approved.

Barefoot Wine
Barefoot Wine & Bubbly started up in California in the 1960s. Its founders believed that wine should be more fun and less serious; and created a wine that could be enjoyed by everyone from first-time wine drinkers to hard-core aficionados. Barefoot is the most awarded and No.1 wine brand in the US and was introduced to the UK in 2009. The one thing the brand is serious about is making good wine and it has won over 2,000 awards for its range of wines worldwide. Staying true to its grassroots beginnings, Barefoot Wine & Bubbly gives back to local non-profit groups through charitable wine donations. Barefoot has also been an ally to the LGBT community for over 30 years!

Mark West
Founded in 1978, Mark West wines have always aimed to crafting remarkable wines that deliver exceptional quality. Since their beginnings they’ve been devoted to Pinot Noir, drawing their inspiration from the world-famous winemakers of Burgundy to showcase the aromas, flavours and textures that make their wines unique.

Apothic
Apothic’s wines are crafted to delight the palate and deliver a silky-smooth style that demonstrates the winemaker’s passion both on the vine and in the cellar. Every glass of Apothic wine offers a depth of layers, each demonstrating intense fruit character supported by a round structure and signature smooth tannins. This is achieved through the help of the micro-climates and soil types in California. It’s here, in carefully selected vineyards, where Apothic wine begins its journey. A journey that ends in a stylish and sophisticated bottle adorned with the iconic Apothic “A”.