Winemaker Notes
The 2022 Napa Valley vintage produced low yields with high-quality, intensely-flavored berries and this exclusive, Napa Valley release of Butter Chardonnay lives up to every expectation. Sourced from a single-vineyard location between Los Carneros and Coombsville. Cold-fermented and aged in our unique blend of American oak, the flavors are deliciously complex. Rich notes of apple blossom and pineapple cake are complemented with bright, citrusy acidity and a smooth, creamy texture. Think lemon confit and apricot bar with a hint of honeycomb!
California’s most praised white wine, Chardonnay is also the state’s most planted white grape variety. Diverse terrain and microclimates allow for an incredible range of wine styles.
Chardonnay planted in the cooler, coastal zones takes on bright characteristics like lemon zest, key lime, green apple and wet flint. For this style, look to the chilly Sonoma Coast, Carneros, Santa Cruz Mountains, Santa Lucia Highlands and Edna Valley.
The inland zones of California’s coast, such as the Russian River, Sonoma, Napa and Livermore Valleys maintain a more Goldilocks-esque climate where both styles go. Early picking retains acidity and creates a leaner style but leaving the grapes to hang creates an approachable Chardonnay, balancing richness and finesse.
Chardonnay also plays a major part in the sparkling wine production of the Anderson Valley and Carneros.