VINTAGE
The 2018 growing season was characterized by a cool spring in the Arroyo Seco. Cool, foggy mornings and evenings, with daytime highs in the 80s through the summer, provided optimum weather for ripening Chardonnay. The warm weather in September, along with the recurring afternoon winds, provided the slow ripening needed to maximize flavors and textures. The Chardonnay harvest began on October 4th, which was later than recent vintages. Our Riverstone Chardonnay is now comprised of nine Chardonnay clones - 4, 5, 17, 76, 95, 96, 548, 809 and Hyde-Wente, each bringing one component to the complexity of flavors, textures and acidities in the final blend.

VINEYARDS
The vines for our J. Lohr Estates Riverstone Chardonnay are grown primarily on Elder loam soils underlain by “riverstones” deposited over thousands of years by the Arroyo Seco River. These stones limit soil depth from one to four feet, although roots are found at greater depths. This unique combination of sandy loam and cobblestone soil keeps the vines’ vegetative growth and fruit in balance, while the cool climate and winds of the Salinas Valley extend the growing season - retaining the natural grape acids and intense varietal character of Chardonnay.

"The 2018 Riverstone Chardonnay exhibits youthful hues of light straw. The enticing aromas are reminiscent of white peach, apricot, ripe orange, and cocoa, and complemented by the palate flavors of citrus cream and nectarine. The rich texture and balance on the palate from aging sur lie gives way to flavors of vanilla, crème brûlée, and a touch of oak can be found on the long finish."

— Kristen Barnhisel, winemaker, white wine

Opening with a luxurious bouquet, the DAOU Chardonnay unveils a captivating array of aromas, including pineapple, vanilla bean, mango, hazelnut, and nutmeg spice. Floral nuances of honeysuckle and star jasmine dance alongside accents of sweet ginger and lemon zest. On the palate, its weighty presence delivers a velvety texture, unveiling flavors of Bartlett pear, Crenshaw melon, kiwi, and fresh pineapple. Balanced notes of Golden Delicious apple and papaya intertwine with hints of lemon cream pie and crushed almonds, while traces of white peach, citrus peel, and cinnamon add complexity to its lingering, graceful finish.

Established in 1985 by legendary vintners Dan and Margaret Duckhorn, our roots run deep at Decoy. Building on our rich winemaking heritage, we invite you to experience Decoy Limited. Crafted using grapes from some of the most acclaimed Sonoma Coast vineyards, including our own estate properties, this wine is the ultimate expression of Decoy Chardonnay.

Wine Profile

Production Notes
Varietal Composition: 100% Chardonnay; Oak Profile & Aging: 50% Stainless Steel Fermentation, 50% Barrel Fermentation and 35% New French Oak

Winemaker Notes
Graceful, pure and polished, this enticing Chardonnay offers tantalizing aromas of green apple, nectarine and candied citrus, with fragrant hints of roasted nuts and acacia blossoms. On the palate, it is rich and lushly textured, with a flowing elegance that frames the fresh citrus and stone fruit flavors, while carrying the wine to a long, silky finish.

Production
While the growing season began with a mild winter and less than average rainfall, there was enough precipitation to provide ample soil moisture. After an early and ideal budbreak, temperate weather throughout spring and summer produced balanced canopies and steady shoot growth, with relatively small berries. Mid-August brought a week of temperatures over 100º F, providing a final push towards optimal ripeness for our Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and select Pinot Noir vineyards. While late-season wildfires in Northern California brought logistical challenges, we were able to successfully pick our vineyards during a very busy, truncated harvest, resulting in beautifully pure and aromatic white wines, and lush, spicy and concentrated reds.

Miljenko “Mike” Grgich has been called “The King of Chardonnay” since the winery began in 1977, and you can taste why in this classically-styled wine. We did not allow the Chardonnay to undergo malolactic fermentation, preserving its natural acidity.

This Chardonnay entices you with aromas of fresh peach, Asian pear, citrus, and honeycomb to delight your senses. The flavors are just as complex with delightful undertones of red pepper and Madagascar vanilla, followed by fresh lemon, green apple, wildflower honey, stone fruit, and a hint of lavender. The rich, dense texture is balanced by its juicy acidity, leading to great minerality and a long, satisfying finish.

J. Lohr Arroyo Vista Vineyard Chardonnay is a quintessential Monterey Chardonnay, showcasing the perfect balance of tropical fruit flavors and bright acidity. Grown in J. Lohr’s pioneering vineyards in the cool, windswept Arroyo Seco AVA, this wine reflects the unique terroir of loamy sand and gravelly soils. The vines thrive in this environment, producing a Chardonnay with rich, layered flavors and exceptional food versatility.

This wine is aged in French oak barrels for 14 months, with 45% new oak, and undergoes sur lie aging to enhance its texture and complexity. The result is a wine with a vibrant, tropical fruit profile complemented by a touch of vanilla and a subtle hint of oak.

Wine Details:

Cellaring: Delicious now and can be cellared for up to 5 years.
Composition: A blend of handpicked Chardonnay grapes from Arroyo Seco.
Barrel Type: Aged in French oak barrels (45% new).
Food Pairings: Perfect with triple crème brie cheese, mussels in lemon wine sauce, chicken with Dijon mustard sauce, or lobster and crab with lemon butter.

For a refined, food-friendly Chardonnay with a distinct Monterey character, J. Lohr Arroyo Vista Vineyard Chardonnay is a standout. Available now at Royal Batch!

This Chardonnay charms with ripe pear and apple flavors, delivering a hint of toast in its fresh California style. Savor notes of vanilla, pineapple and honeydew in this classic, sunny white.

TASTING NOTES
This Chardonnay charms with ripe pear and apple flavors, delivering a hint of toast in its fresh California style. Aromas of peach and pear are underscored by a trace of tropical fruit on the nose, giving way to an enticing palate of apricot, pineapple and nutmeg spice. A touch of caramel and vanilla oak on the finish lends a subtle richness to this classic, sunny white.

19 Crimes tells the true story of heroes who beat the odds and overcame adversity to become folk heroes. This spirit lives on today through innovators like Martha Stewart, a self-made icon who built a domestic empire. Martha’s drive embodies the timeless values of the 19 Crimes mavericks who came before her.

Maker Notes

Allow yourself to indulge in the irresistible flavor of IYLIA Chardonnay. A sensual elixir that calmly guides your taste buds to a world of pure pleasure.  

"Wine Enthusiast says: "This wine has a nose of nectarine, pineapple, and almond toffee. Flavors of Bartlett pear, chirimoya, rose petal, and caramel wind down to a lemon zest finish." 

Aged to perfection in oak barrels, our IYLIA Chardonnay comes to life with its floral, smooth, balanced aroma that's simply irresistible. Each sip elevates you! It's brimming with the minerality that only the finest wines possess.

Long and silky, it lingers on the palate. You'll enjoy its cool minerality and long, silky finish that lingers on the taste buds. Pair our Chardonnay with your favorite dish. If you're like us, however, you don't need to pair it with anything. IYLIA Chardonnay is a complete experience all on its own.

Color: A brilliant light golden yellow.

Aroma: An intense floral aroma.

Taste: A balanced, smooth, fruity flavor profile with a long silky finish.

Food Pairing: Superb pairing with any entrée is an excellent aperitif, perfect with fish or poultry.

Best served Chilled

Maker Notes

Our Chardonnay is crafted with care to ensure that no single flavor overpowers another, creating a delicate, bright glass filled with subtle sweetness and a hint of oak.

Flavor Notes: Well-balanced, with bright citrus, honey, and juicy peach notes rounded with a hint of oak to bring a light complexity.

Food Pairings: Pairs well with shrimp, steamed mussels, creamy pasta, roasted chicken, and grilled vegetables.

Maker Notes

Our 2022 Morning Fog Chardonnay bursts with aromatics of citrus and green apple complemented by hints of toasty oak and vanilla from barrel-aging. This wine is balanced by a lingering minerality and natural acidity to create a beautiful wine.

TASTING NOTES
Our 2022 Morning Fog Chardonnay bursts with aromatics of citrus and green apple complemented by hints of toasty oak and vanilla from barrel-aging. This wine is balanced by a lingering minerality and natural acidity to create a beautiful wine.

19 Crimes tells the true story of rulebreakers who beat the odds and overcame adversity to become folk heroes.

This spirit lives on today through innovators like Martha Stewart, a self-made icon who built a domestic empire. Martha’s drive embodies the timeless values of the 19 Crimes mavericks who came before her.

Wine Specifications

CountryUnited States | AppellationCalifornia | Alcohol %8.5 | pH3.26 | SweetnessMedium-dry | Acidity6.51 g/L

Sensory Profile

Medium straw color with hints of green at the edges. Gently aromatic, clean golden delicious apple, lightly candied scents from sweet oak

Tasting Notes

Medium, slightly round entry balanced by firm acid backbone. Oak well integrated. Uniform across palate with a tinge of citrus/orange peel that gives a nice tang to finish.

Maker Notes

Our Reserve wines are made for life’s most cherished moments and are the culmination of our years of hard work and craft.

Grapes for our Buttery Chardonnay come from California's Central Coast, where the coastal influences of the Pacific Ocean combined with inland warmth create beautiful, balanced growing conditions for Chardonnay.

Flavor Notes: This wine showcases notes of juicy ripe fruit on the nose, while the palate has flavors of crème brûlée, roasted marshmallow, and butterscotch.

Food Pairings: Pairs well with pan-seared or grilled salmon, fresh salads and vegetables, sirloin or ribeye steak and lightly seasoned chicken dishes.

Indulge in the opulence of Cupcake Vineyards' Butterkissed Chardonnay, a lavish interpretation of a classic varietal. Nurtured in the sun-drenched vineyards of California, our grapes benefit from a prolonged, warm growing season, allowing us to extract rich, indulgent flavors for your enjoyment. Through a meticulous process involving stainless steel and barrel fermentation, this Chardonnay unveils fresh aromas of ripe pear and white peach. The entire wine undergoes malolactic fermentation, resulting in a decadent experience with notes of freshly drawn butter, vanilla, and citrus zest, culminating in a smooth, creamy mouthfeel. This full-bodied, luxurious wine is the perfect companion for impromptu gatherings with friends, wood-fired pizza, or parmesan-crusted chicken breast.

Opulent and elegant, the 2021 release of our Brumaire Chardonnay is filled with rich, tropical fruit flavor and a crisp acidity that begs to be paired with all of this season’s adventures.

TASTING NOTES

The salivation factor is high in this aromatic Russian River Valley Chardonnay! An airy peach blossom and nectarine perfume leads to a palate layered with notes of fresh orchard peaches, lemon peel and cool minerality underscored by subtle baking spice and toasted oak accents. Vibrant natural acidity adds brightness and lift to the full, juicy finish.

A new, bold take on a California classic; flavors of yellow apple, marzipan and clove; the addition of American oak aging gives the wine its unique flavors of marshmallow, coconut oil and vanilla bean.

TASTING NOTES

APPEARANCE & COLOR: Brilliant, pale yellow color

AROMA: Yellow apple, marshmallow, coconut oil, vanilla bean, marzipan and clove

PALATE: Opulent, round and creamy mid-palate for a long-lasting nish

CELLARING POTENTIAL: 1-2 years

Menage a Trois Chardonnay is a captivating expression of this classic varietal. With a harmonious blend of lush, ripe fruit flavors like tropical pineapple, juicy honeydew melon, and hints of creamy vanilla, this wine offers a delightful sensory journey. Its smooth, silky texture and well-balanced oak notes create a luxurious palate experience, making it an ideal companion for moments of indulgence or casual gatherings where its vibrant and approachable character shines through.

Maker Notes

Developed concentration and flavors of melon, vanilla and creme brulee- pairs great with grilled chicken or pork chops. Diamond Collection wines are made from grapes grown across California and are carefully combined to create wines perfect for all occasions – including those special just because ones. Diamond Collection Chardonnay is an extremely well-balanced wine with lush flavors lifted by bright, natural acidity.

The 2022 vintage started early, with Spring bringing welcome rain that filled the soil profile, giving vines the water and nutrients needed to grow. An overall mild summer with warm days and cool nights was ideal for grape maturity. Overall, a lighter crop than average
in quantity, but still excellent in quality.

At the base of Mount Veeder lies a one-of-a-kind winegrowing region known as “Los Carneros.” Here, cooling breezes and daily fog from the San Pablo Bay combine with the region’s clay loam soils to produce the perfect conditions for growing Chardonnay. The grapes develop slowly in Carneros, ripening evenly to produce wines of rare  expressiveness. When we decided it was time for Mount Veeder to release a Chardonnay, we knew that it had to be from Carneros — but we wanted it to be uniquely our own. After exploring all the region had to offer, we selected fruit from a vineyard whose Chardonnay grapes flawlessly emulate Mount Veeder’s mountain style. The resulting wine offers rich layers of fruit balanced by a fresh, vibrant acidity.

TASTING NOTES
Pale gold with aromas of ripe, golden orchard fruits, fresh banana, and pineapple, with a touch of caramel and vanilla. The palate is round and clean with bright acidity and a flinty finish of crisp minerality.

Our Sonoma Coast Chardonnay is 100% barrel fermented and is all about balance. The cool coastal influence provides rich acidity and delicious tropical fruit flavors, while the barrel fermentation lends itself to creamy toasted notes of spice and vanilla. Very food friendly and crowd pleasing!