Few grape varieties capture the spirit of wine country like Chardonnay—but not all are grown equally. In the cool pockets of the Russian River Valley, Chardonnay takes on a distinct identity shaped by fog, soil, and patience.

Here, cool morning fog rolls in from the Pacific Ocean, moderating the daytime heat and slowly ripening the fruit to perfection. This steady growth develops vibrant acidity and nuanced flavors such as crisp green apple aromas, citrusy undertones, and minerality balanced by subtle richness. The result is a style of Chardonnay that’s both graceful and complex, a true reflection of the land.

Though showing the beauty of Russian River Valley Chardonnays would be better than just saying it. Join us as we uncork five remarkable expressions of this cool-climate classic—each a distinct voice from the vineyards of the Russian River Valley.

Russian River Valley Chardonnay

Our Russian River Valley Chardonnay is a true expression of place, grown across four estate vineyards that span gentle rolling hills to steep, cool-climate slopes. Each site contributes its own voice, coming together in a wine that’s both complete and captivating—structured yet graceful.

From the first swirl, warm savory aromatics rise from the glass, giving way to hints of lemon and pear. On the palate, it’s elegant and layered, with concentrated flavors and a lively citrus brightness that keeps every sip fresh and vibrant. A touch of tannin lends finesse to the finish, inviting you back for another taste. Subtle new oak plays a supporting role—adding quiet complexity without overshadowing Chardonnay’s pure, expressive character.

This new oak contrasts with our other staple white wine, our Teresa’s Unoaked Chardonnay.

Teresa’s Unoaked Chardonnay

Our Teresa’s Unoaked Chardonnay was crafted from whole Chardonnay clusters gently pressed to capture their purest essence, the juice undergoes a cool, slow fermentation to preserve aromatics and finish dry for a crisp profile. Early harvesting and a touch of phenolic structure elevate its delicate character, while over half underwent malolactic fermentation to add midpalate weight and round the acidity for perfect harmony.

Once it’s bottled though, this wine proves that great Chardonnay doesn’t need flashy oak to shine. The wine bursts with bright citrus and melon aromas, layered with subtle savory tones that add depth and intrigue. On the palate, it’s mouthwatering and beautifully balanced with refreshing acidity playing against a surprisingly full, weighted mid-palate. Gentle tannins bring a fine tension, leading to a long, serious finish. Crisp and vibrant yet luxuriously textured

Twin Ridges Chardonnay

Sexton Hill and Cider Ridge, two hillside vineyards inspired our Twin Ridges Chardonnay. Perched on the same ridge southwest of Sebastopol, just ten miles from the cool Pacific breeze, these two vineyards face opposite directions yet work in perfect harmony. Sexton Hill climbs the sheltered northeast slope, while Cider Ridge cascades down the sunny southwest side. One brings freshness and tension, the other warmth and richness.

Once harvested, old Wente clone fruit from both vineyards is gently whole-cluster pressed and fermented in barrel using only native yeasts. This allows the process to unfold slowly and naturally, revealing lifted, expressive aromatics. The wine then rests in the barrel for 18 months, gaining texture, depth, and balance. Every bit of that patience is reflected in the glass.

Twin Ridges Chardonnay opens with an aromatic rush of savory spice and citrus zest, signaling its serious intent. On the palate, focused acidity and fine tannins frame the wine beautifully, creating a Chardonnay that’s both powerful and poised.

Burnside Road Chardonnay

Our Burnside Road Chardonnay was crafted from vines perched high in the hills southwest of Sebastopol. From here, each vine feels every breath of the ocean. Cool fog drapes the grapes at night, salty winds sweep through by morning, and sunlight shifts over the slopes through the day. The fruit ripens slowly, developing the depth and character that define this cool-climate Chardonnay.

The Burnside Road Chardonnay is a young wine with years of brilliance ahead. Decant it now and you’ll catch a glimpse of just how amazing this wine truly is. Focused, expressive, and unmistakably true to its Burnside Road. A crisp backbone anchors waves of vivid fruit, juicy peach, ripe pear, bright pineapple, and fresh apple bursting across the palate.

Cider Ridge Chardonnay

Perched at 550 feet and just ten miles from the Pacific, Cider Ridge Vineyard basks in ideal west-facing sunlight while contending with the region’s hallmark fog, chill, and wind. Wente, Z-clone, and Robert Young Chardonnay clones were gently whole-cluster pressed and barrel-fermented with native yeast. This patient process builds a lifted, expressive aromatic profile. The wine then rested in French oak, with lees stirred every three weeks for the first three months, developing remarkable depth and texture.

The result is a serious, finely structured Chardonnay that’s unmistakably Cider Ridge—elegant yet powerful, layered with floral notes, bright fruit, and rich texture. Nearly a decade since its first vintage, Cider Ridge continues to deliver Chardonnay of balance, finesse, and captivating character.