Winemaker Notes
Aromas of lemon, citrus blossom, and wet sand with flavors of saline and white peach. The texture is precise and balanced.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
A full body folds in bright citrus, lemon zest and mineral flavors in this mouth-filling yet balanced and nicely chalky wine. Lemon pith, wet stones and vivid acidity on the palate.
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Vinous
The 2025 Chardonnay is yet another compelling edition of this wine, with generous curves, enticing florality and prickly acidity. Gorgeous aromas of jasmine, orange blossom and white peach press from the glass, soaking into the palate with staining density and a delectable lick of salinity on the finish. This is more of a standalone, singular wine than it is a “Chardonnay,” but that happens to be a huge success. In 2025, the Diatom Chardonnay comes across like an aromatic white, but with Chardonnay’s texture and structure. At this scale of production, how can you go wrong?
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.
With a dry and mild climate cooled significantly by moist ocean fog and breezes, Santa Barbara County is a grape-grower’s dream. Part of the larger Central Coast appellation, Santa Barbara is home to Santa Maria Valley and Santa Ynez Valley. The conditions here provide an opportunity for nearly effortless production of high-quality cool-climate Central Coast wines. This is also the site of the 2004 film Sideways, which caused Pinot Noir’s popularity to skyrocket and brought new acclaim to the region.
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are the stars of Santa Barbara, producing wines marked by racy acidity. Crisp Sauvignon Blanc and savory Syrah are also important. The region is home to many young and enthusiastic winemakers eager to experiment with less common varieties including Chenin Blanc, Grüner Veltliner, Trousseau Gris, Gamay and Cabernet Franc, making it an exciting area to watch.