Winemaker Notes
Crafted with full-bodied Chardonnay aged in Scotch Barrels, this liberal wine is layered with aromas of rich toffee, sweet tobacco and baked apple pie with notes reminiscent of Scotch: hints of antique leather, caramelized brown sugar and toasted oak.
Enjoy this sophisticated sipper with subtly sweet, smoky dishes: Oven roasted pork spareribs alongside savory baked apples or grilled, alder-smoked salmon.
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.