Winemaker Notes
This Sonoma Coast Chardonnay is produced without new oak, allowing the bright varietal character to shine through. Harvested from select vineyards in the Sonoma Coast AVA, including the cooler microclimates of western Carneros, the elegant aromas of fresh citrus, grapefruit, and white peach with hints of stone fruit abound. The juicy palate offers delicate flavors of Meyer lemon, yellow apple, kiwi, and nuances of honeysuckle, finishing with vibrant acidity and mineral-driven notes.
Pair with aged cheeses such as Gouda or Manchego or delicate seafood dishes, soups, and pasta dishes.
Professional Ratings
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Tasting Panel
Elegant, with floral appointments of honeysuckle, and gardenia, accented by candied ginger. A creamy wash of vanilla-peach works its way to add depth and richness.
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James Suckling
Aromas of candied pineapple and glazed lemons with honeysuckle, spices and a hint of beeswax. Sleek and polished on the palate, with a medium to full body and a creamy aftertaste. Rich but vivid and spicy.
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Wine Enthusiast
Aromas of fresh pear, toasted almond and lemon blossom waft from the glass of this unoaked Chardonnay. Flavors of ripe apple, apricot and lemon wash over the palate, which finishes with pleasing whispers of salty lemon pith.
Schug Winery was founded in 1980 with unwavering dedication to Pinot Noir excellence—a specialization that spans 45 years and sets them apart from generalist wineries. Walter Schug, the legendary winemaker who created Joseph Phelps' iconic Insignia, established his legacy in Carneros, where low-intervention Old World winemaking meets California terroir.
Today, 5th-generation German winemaker Johannes Scheid continues this authentic heritage with wines that consistently score 90+ points across their entire portfolio. Johannes trained at Walter's alma mater in Germany, bringing multi-generational European winemaking expertise to their sustainable California practices.
What makes Schug exceptional is their genuine commitment to specialization and authenticity. While others spread their focus across multiple varietals, they've perfected their craft with nearly half a century devoted to exceptional Pinot Noir. This deep expertise, combined with their European winemaking tradition and compelling value proposition, has driven their national expansion and established Schug as a trusted name among wine enthusiasts who appreciate both heritage and quality.
One of the most popular and versatile white wine grapes, Chardonnay offers a wide range of flavors and styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. While it tends to flourish in most environments, Chardonnay from its Burgundian homeland produces some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. California produces both oaky, buttery styles and leaner, European-inspired wines. Somm Secret—The Burgundian subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a bright style similar to the unoaked style. Anyone who doesn't like oaky Chardonnay would likely enjoy Chablis.
A vast appellation covering Sonoma County’s Pacific coastline, the Sonoma Coast AVA runs all the way from the Mendocino County border, south to the San Pablo Bay. The region can actually be divided into two sections—the actual coastal vineyards, marked by marine soils, cool temperatures and saline ocean breezes—and the warmer, drier vineyards further inland, which are still heavily influenced by the Pacific but not quite with same intensity.
Contained within the appellation are the much smaller Fort Ross-Seaview and Petaluma Gap AVAs.
The Sonoma Coast is highly regarded for elegant Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and, increasingly, cool-climate Syrah. The wines have high acidity, moderate alcohol, firm tannin, and balanced ripeness.