Winemaker Notes
#24 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2025
Fermented in 100% stainless steel, this beautiful wine is wonderfully bright and consistent vintage after vintage. At first swirl, aromatics of honeydew, white peach and jasmine spring forward from the glass, followed with time by citrus blossom, watermelon rind and pineapple. On the palate, the wine has refreshing flavors of peach, grapefruit and jasmine with hints of mandarin, cucumber and lemon curd. The mouthfeel is soft yet inviting, with a lively acidity.
This classic, Loire Valley-style wine is excellent when paired with fresh oysters, seafood or just about anything.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
Offers a firm, intense, juicy and refreshing mix of vibrant apricot, peach and Honeycrisp apple flavors, with a hint of jasmine and a long, refreshing finish. The succulent texture, purity of flavor and long finish are particularly impressive.
Unquestionably one of the most diverse grape varieties, Chenin Blanc can do it all. It shines in every style from bone dry to unctuously sweet, oaked or unoaked, still or sparkling and even as the base for fortified wines and spirits. Perhaps Chenin Blanc’s greatest asset is its ever-present acidity, maintained even under warm growing conditions. Somm Secret—Landing in South Africa in the mid 1800s, today the country has double the acreage of Chenin Blanc planted compared to France. There is also a new wave of dedicated producers committed to restoring old Chenin vines.
The vineyards just inland from the Sacramento River Delta, along the deep banks of the Sacramento River, comprise the Clarksburg AVA. The River Delta channels in cold air and fog from the Pacific Ocean creating a cooling effect in this area. Warm summer days quickly change to chilly evenings and make a great environment for grape growing. While a range of grape varieties grow here, Chenin blanc stands out the most, distinguishing itself in the appellation.
The Clarksburg Wine Growers and Vintners Association, made up of nearly 50 grower members and over a dozen wineries, has been working since the late 1980s to promote the high quality wine of its region.