As we are still in the mood to celebrate Chardonnay day, today’s #wineoftheday toasts a creamy, luscious, layered beauty from Sonoma’s Marine Layer Wines. Named after the thick layer of fog that rolls over the Sonoma Coast off the Pacific Ocean every day, the wines of Marine Layer showcases the cool-climate, maritime influence on delicate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay fruit. Started by founder Baron Ziegler with winemaker Rob Fisher, Marine Layer’s goal is to allow the terroir to shine through their wines, working with premium vineyard sites throughout the Sonoma coast that utilize sustainable practices, revealing the true character of the fruit. From Chardonnay fruit grown predominantly in the Petaluma Gap, Marine Layer crafts their Aries Chardonnay ($40).

Petaluma Gap is considered the doorway to Sonoma, with blustery breezes blowing through each afternoon pushing the cooling morning fog out, creating lower yields in the vineyard and a longer growing season. This ensures fruit has time to fully develop before harvest, ripening later than other parts of Sonoma, while maintaining a vibrant freshness required in great Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Marine Layer Aries Chardonnay reveals aromas of honeysuckle, lemon blossom, orchard fruit, and vanilla, leading to a creamy, textured palate of ripe apple, fresh citrus, marzipan, crushed stone, toasted vanilla, and a slight briny note from the Ocean’s influence. A perfect wine for pairing with seafood or shellfish, like butter-poached lobster or crab bisque.