A joint venture between Aubert de Villaine, the owner of Domaine Romanee Conti, and Napa producer Larry Hyde will launch in the UK this month.

The venture, which was formed in 2000, aims to challenge the traditional view of Californian wine with a range that includes two Chardonnays, a Syrah and a Merlot/Cabernet blend, decanter.com reports.

"Perhaps the biggest challenge we foresee in the UK is overcoming some common perceptions of California wines," Rick Hyde, president of Hyde Vineyards in Carneros, told the website.

"We find ourselves on the other end of the spectrum from wines that emphasise high alcohols, ultra-ripe fruit and heavy handed oak."

In a recent interview with the Wall Street Journal, Aubert de Villaine claimed the winemaker's job is to "express the character of the land": something which is paramount in Burgundy, where unlike Bordeaux the vineyard and its village are listed ahead of a wine's producer.