18 places to drink Californian wine in Norway
Want to drink Californian wine in Norway?
Our California Stars are the wine bars and restaurants featuring the great selections of wine from California on their lists.
Check them out!
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Presented by The California Wine Institute
California Wine Institute is an association of 1,000 California wineries and wine-related businesses that initiate and advocate public policy to enhance the environment for the responsible production, consumption and enjoyment of wine.
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Phone: +47 22 42 60 88
Address: Christiania Torv 4, Oslo
Few places in Oslo have such staying power as Brasserie Hansken. Established in 1997 it's still extremely popular with locals as well as travellers and has a longstanding reputation for quality. Located in the picturesque Christiania Torv, it's surrounded by some of the oldest buildings in Oslo. The waterfront is just a quick stroll away, and in the summertime, the outdoor terrace is a bustling, busy sight. The cuisine, as well as the interior, is classic French with a Scandinavian flair, and the staff is both service-minded and experienced, making it a favourite venue for business lunches as...
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Phone: +47 22 82 60 20
Address: Kristian IV's gate 7, Oslo
Austrian Wine List of the Year Norway, presented by Austrian Wine 2024
Proper hotel restaurants are far between, particularly with great wine lists as the icing on the cake. Bristol Grill serves up classical brasserie fare in a timeless dining room oozing of old money, without it being a cliché or intimidating. A bit like stepping into a time machine. Still some treasures in the deep wine list (list has been somewhat “raided” though, the last year or so). Wine list firmly focused on classical regions - France, Piemonte and some California as well. Some great prices to be found for back vintages.
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Phone: +47 405 55 529
Address: Prinsens gate 32, Trondheim
Where to start? Bula is one of those places that you cannot put a label on – and that is exactly how they want it! Choose between a 5 or 10-course menu, regular or upgraded wine pairing, choose an extra bottle or two from the list and sit tight and enjoy the ride. They also have a secret room for 6-12 pax bookings, where you get your own private restaurant and a whopping 20 courses. Even though everything is casual at Bula, they offer some seats in their bar area for small bites and a feel-good vibe if you feel like something lighter than the menu. The wine list is as eclectic as the cuisine...
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Phone: +47 91195665
Address: Vaskerelvsmauet 1, Bergen
California Wine List of the Year Norway, presented by California Wines 2021
Dråpen Vinbar won silver in the category Best Californian Wine List in Star Wine List of the Year Norway 2021.
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Phone: +47 989 05 898
Address: Strandkaien 3, Bergen
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Phone: +47 32 09 12 50
Address: Geilovegen 56, Geilo
Best Long List of the Year Norway 2024
Hallingstuene won silver in the category Best Californian Wine List in Star Wine List of the Year Norway 2021.
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Phone: +47 479 78 087
Address: Sankt Olavs Plass 2, 0165, Oslo
Austrian Wine List of the Year Norway, presented by Austrian Wine 2024
Happolati is a modern restaurant with a fun Asian inspired menu based on seasonal produce. The dining room feels light and open, and the elegant furniture balances the art of being trendy, yet comfortable and warm.
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Phone: 38 17 83 00
Address: Nodeviga 2, Kristiansand
Sparkling Wine List of the Year Norway, presented by Nyetimber 2024
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Phone: +47 93 47 00 11
Address: Leirfallsgata 6, Oslo
Newcomer List of the Year Norway, in cooperation with Norges Beste Vinkart 2023
The wine list in this casual bistro-style restaurant located in vibey Grünerløkka focuses on California and Burgundy (14 pages deep). A great place for Saturday lunches, and their not-to-be-missed bone marrow dish, focusing on the now widely common “sharing concept”. Also a great place for drinking wines in the Oslo summer sun. Booking is advised.
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Address: Sofies gate 16, Oslo
A neighbourhood bistro in the Bislet area. French-centric for sure, however with quite a few bottles from other prominent wine-producing countries also present on the impressive and deep wine list with Bourgogne as its core. Lots of German Rieslings are to be found as well. It tends to be hard to score a table if not booked in advance, however, during 2023 Kolonialen will increase its square meters. Casual and welcoming atmosphere, run by Pontus Dahlström (one of the founding partners at Maaemo).
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Phone: +47 21 60 01 01
Address: Maridalsveien 15a, Oslo
Sustainable Wine List of the Year Norway 2024
Kontrast is located in the culinary area of Vulkan which used to be an industrial area by the Akerselva river. The Michelin starred restaurant offers the best produce of the season in both tasting menus and a la carte with beautiful presentations. If you choose one of the wine pairing menus you might be surprised by the modern touch to it, but Kontrast’s wine list is also worth a serious study before you dig in.
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Phone: +47 22 55 22 05
Address: Frognerveien 2, Oslo
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Phone: 23 10 80 80
Address: Biskop Gunnerus gate 3, Oslo
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Phone: +47 920 96 763
Address: Holmens gate 4, Oslo
By the Glass List of the Year Norway, presented by Zwiesel, in cooperation with Norges Beste Vinkart 2023
The wine list at this small and cosy wine bar in the rather touristy area of Aker Brygge is thirty-plus pages deep, making it a proper safe haven for all wine lovers. The owner's love for Californian wines is evident, however, the selection is wide and covers all major areas from the “old world” as well as top-tier names from the “new world” outside the USA. Nice and relaxed vibe, and they open at 13:00 at weekends, making an escape from the shopping centre next door easily achieved. Serving cheese and cold cuts as well. Short but well-curated by the glass list.
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Phone: +47 56 53 10 00
Address: Uttrågata 3, Voss
California Wine List of the Year Norway 2024
Park Hotel Vossevangen is not a place visited for its convenient access – it is a place worth traveling for. Located in a village in the Western part of Norway, at least the road trip from Bergen can be spectacular. At Park Hotel Vossevangen it is possible to attend tastings in the wine cellar or try their restaurant Elysée which offers a classic menu.
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Address: Operagata 11, Oslo
By the Glass List of the Year Norway, presented by Zwiesel, in cooperation with Norges Beste Vinkart 2023
A small and cosy wine bar located in the recently developed Bjørvika area. Opens early-ish on Saturdays, hence a good spot for a glass from their extensive and deep wine list of more than 1,000 references. A solid by-the-glass program as well; very educative, and great for the not-so-geeky people looking to broaden their horizons and learn a thing or two. The big list is rather traditionally focused, and very strong on Bordeaux in particular (a rare find these days).
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Phone: +47 958 99 999
Address: Apotekergata 10, Ålesund
California Wine List of the Year Norway 2024
Just across the street from Apotekergata No. 5, in the heart of Ålesund, you’ll find a gem of a wine bar. Vino Bar is run by local sommelier Øyvind Tveit and chef and sommelier Jeanette Bohinen. It’s an intimate and cosy atmosphere with a lot of wine paraphernalia and Øyvind’s broad collection of legendary (empty) bottles that line the top shelf by the ceiling. Indeed a lot of amazing wine memories in that lineup. At the back, there is a large room showing off a small part of the wine bar’s wines and where Øyvind and Jeanette regularly conduct wine tastings. And then the wine list! With mo...
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Phone: +47 974 32 020
Address: Henrik Ibsens gate 60a, Oslo
Austrian Wine List of the Year Norway, presented by Austrian Wine 2024
When Vinoteket opened in 2018, it gained instant fame for three things: the ridiculously low-priced wine list, the innovative pizzas and the fact that former European Sommelier Championship winner Robert Lie was general manager. Today the wine prices are a bit more normal (albeit still cheap), the pizzas are as good as ever, and the wine list continues to evolve and grow. While the combination of great pizza and a kick-ass wine list has been seen before, it's unusual to find such a relaxed and friendly venue in an area of Oslo known just as much for its poor taste as it's wealth and lavish sp...
