Chateau Diana Jawbreaker California Chardonnay
Winemaker Notes
Critical Acclaim
All Vintages
Tom and Diane Manning’s journey started in New York. As orphan with no high school education Tom knew that someday he would have a family of his own and a place to call home. One day while selling carpet a young Tom met his wife at a bus stop in Long Island. They made their way to California and in 1981 the purchased the land where the winery now sits in the heart of Dry Creek Valley in Healdsburg from the Le Barron Family. The Le Barron Family was the first family in Dry Creek to have a car and they grew hops and prunes. Like the Le Baron’s the family tradition was and will always be honored. The torch at Chateau Diana has been passed onto their children Corey and Dawn Manning who now run the winery. Their wines are handcrafted by winemaker Dawne Sacchetti. As you walk the grounds you will feel of sense that although both Tom and Diane are now gone they will never be forgotten.
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.