Winemaker Notes
Blend: 100% Chardonnay
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
A vivid, structured and textured wine in which vibrant acidity merges with bold sliced apple and Bosc pear flavors. It shows brightness, lift and freshness that are especially appetizing. Medium-bodied and quite affordable.
The name, Raeburn, is an Old English word that means, "the river where one drinks." A fitting nod to those who prefer to slow down to observe, appreciate and flourish in nature's surroundings.
To Raeburn, it's more than just a name—it's an invitation to pull up a chair, pour a glass, and let the world drift by. They don't try to outsmart the land. Instead, they follow the lead of the pastoral Sonoma County region, tending the vineyards with the same quiet attentiveness as the Great Egret that calls this place home. By keeping things simple and working in harmony with nature, each bottle captures that effortless, sun-drenched feeling of a perfect afternoon by the water.
Guided by Nature's Rhythm Raeburn wines are elegant, lush, and balanced, crafted to express the pure character of each varietal. Drawn from the finest vineyards across Sonoma County and the Russian River Valley, they are made for those who want to slow down, savor the moment, and connect with the world around them.
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.
Home to a diverse array of smaller AVAs with varied microclimates and soil types, Sonoma County has something for every wine lover. Physically twice as large as Napa Valley, the region only produces about half the amount of wine but boasts both tremendous quality and variety. With its laid-back atmosphere and down-to-earth attitude, the wineries of Sonoma are appreciated by wine tourists for their friendliness and approachability. The entire county intends to become a 100% sustainable winegrowing region by 2019.
Sonoma County wines are produced with carefully selected grape varieties to reflect the best attributes of their sites—Dry Creek Valley’s consistent sunshine is ideal for Zinfandel, while the warm Alexander Valley is responsible for rich, voluptuous red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are important throughout the county, most notably in the cooler AVAs of Russian River, Sonoma Coast and Carneros. Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Syrah have also found a firm footing here.