Enjoying a glass of Chardonnay is something that I can do any day, especially as the variety can deliver such a wide range of flavor profiles from steely, clean, and fresh to rich, full-bodied, and creamy. It can easily transition from aperitifs to pairing with a full meal of anything from fish to poultry, even some beef dishes. Enjoy one of these beauties tonight.
One of California’s premier growers of premium Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Three Sticks celebrates the history and heritage of its Sonoma vineyards, producing vineyard-driven selections from 100% estate-grown fruit only. Its distinguished Gap’s Crown Vineyard captures the heart of Sonoma Coast, a region that sits close to the Pacific Ocean, bringing constant cooling breezes and evening fog that ensures the fruit growing in the steep, hillside vineyard is bright, crisp, and beautifully fresh. Layers of lime leaf, lemon blossom, and green apple meld with marzipan, sweet spice, and fresh cream, delivering wine to enjoy with summer pasta with a light cream sauce or grilled fish topped with a citrus burre blanc.
Kosta Browne is one of Sonoma’s leading producers of Pinot Noir, and while each is beautiful, its success is not limited to the delicate red grape as displayed in its One-Sixteen Russian River Valley Chardonnay. A part of Kosta Browne’s appellation series, the vineyard location enjoys the maritime influence of the Pacific through the Russian River Valley where cooling fog lingers through the evening, allowing fruit to fully ripen while maintaining freshness, the necessary element required in quality wines. The fruit is completely whole-cluster pressed, enhancing its freshness and fruit-forward qualities. Rich and well-rounded, the wine layers golden orchard fruit with tropical mango and guava, toasted almond, and rich cream from the 100% malolactic fermentation and partial oak aging. The selection is a beautiful representation of wine from the region.
From Russian River Valley fruit, Jordan Winery and Vineyards Chardonnay is an elegant Burgundian expression of wine, mixing the essence of France with the authenticity of California. Utilizing concrete eggs for fermentation, the wine maintains natural freshness with a lively energy that excites your palate to enjoy sip after sip. The wine opens with layers of ripe citrus, apple, and pear, with a hint of vanilla bean and toasted spice, making it a delicious pairing with roasted chicken, fish, or shellfish.
Robert Mondavi was one of Napa Valley’s most important leaders, helping put the region on the international map, putting wines of the region up against any other in the world, showing its quality and character. From a mix of fruit grown in Napa’s Carneros and Stags Leap District, Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Chardonnay melds ripe stone fruit and melon, with a palate of nectarine, honeydew, and ripe citrus. Six months of aging in French oak barrels lends a touch of cream and toasted spice to the well-balanced palate.
While Malbec is often the wine you think of when discussing the great wines of Argentina, Bodega Trapiche aims to challenge that with its delightful Finca Las Piedras Chardonnay. Though the winery shines as one of the leading producers of the region’s signature red variety, its white wines are equally as lovely, particularly this single vineyard beauty. Rich and well-rounded, yet fresh and lively, and overall, beautifully elegant with notes of creamy lemon curd, ripe apples, melon, and hazelnuts. The winery has been showcasing the wines of Argentina since 1883, farming over 3000 acres of estate fruit, while working with other Argentine growers. Its selections are expressive and terroir-driven, showcasing the flavors of the land in every glass.
From Uco Valley, Mendoza, Mascota Vineyards Unanime Chardonnay captures cool-climate freshness in the glass thanks to high-elevation vineyards located close to the Mendoza River, where cooling breezes blow through vineyards daily, keeping vines healthy and acidity high. The region’s micro-climate ensures the fruit enjoys a long growing season, allowing fruit to ripen slowly while maintaining freshness. The multi-layered wine shows notes of citrus, papaya, and pineapple with a creaminess from the wine undergoing partial malolactic fermentation and six months of barrel aging, rounding out the palate while adding texture.
Sonoma Cutrer Vineyard has been crafting expressive wines since its founding in 1973. Since its start, Chardonnay has always been its focus, revealing how the grape’s terroir truly defines its style and flavor. Its Sonoma Coast Chardonnay shines with luscious layers influenced by the Pacific Ocean and California sunshine. Its aromas unfold with notes of peach blossom, fresh citrus, and sweet melon, leading to flavors of stone fruit and orchard fruit, like white peaches, pear, juicy apple, and nectarine, with a lovely creaminess harmonizing with natural fresh acidity.
B Corp Certified, 1000 Stories Wines, is more than an easy-drinking wine producer. The company proudly works in support of the Wildlife Conservation Society and Yellowstone Forever in support of bison conservation and reintroduction. The American bison are a part of our native landscape, and this association’s work is helping repopulate a species that has been diminishing for years. 1000 Stories Chardonnay is a California appellation wine that ages in American oak barrels to create an approachable, balanced wine with notes of golden apple, almond, lemon curd, and vanilla.
Washington’s Dusted Valley Vineyards highlights the diversity of varietals that thrive in the state, producing a range of wines from native Rhone, Burgundy, and Bordeaux varieties from vineyards dotting Washington and Northern Oregon. Its Dusted Valley Chardonnay hails from the Yakima Valley, a cooler part of the state near the Cascade Mountains, delivering fruit with natural acidity that melds with juicy, fruit-forward flavors. The wine ferments in a variety of styles, including new and neutral oak, stainless steel tanks, and concrete, adding texture to the well-rounded wine’s profile. Layers of Meyer lemon, white grapefruit, and a touch of crushed stone minerality shine throughout the delectable offering.
Red Wine With Breakfast 