Chardonnay
California, USA
2024
2022
2021
Tasting Notes
Bright aromas of mandarin, ripe pear, guava, and delicate white florals lead into a medium-bodied palate with lively acidity and a rich, rounded mid-palate. Subtle notes of vanilla and toast from 10% new French oak add finesse to the fresh fruit profile. The wine’s elegance is driven by the premium Napa and Sonoma fruit, which contributes depth, texture, and a refined finish.
Vineyards
The 2024 Geyser Peak Chardonnay is a meticulously crafted blend showcasing the diversity and quality of California’s premier winegrowing regions. The wine is composed of:
- 33% Napa Valley Chardonnay: Sourced from cool, bay-influenced vineyards at Napa’s southern edge, where marine breezes from San Pablo Bay create a microclimate ideal for slow ripening. The over 20-year-old, cane-pruned vines yield fruit with vibrant acidity, layered citrus, and refined texture, typically found in Napa Chardonnays of exceptional prestige.
- 12% Sonoma County Chardonnay: Sourced from top-tier Sonoma vineyards with warm days and cool nights, producing grapes with ripe stone fruit character, balanced structure, and depth. These 20-year-old, cane-pruned vines yield fruit reserved for wines of distinguished quality.
- 55% California Appellation Chardonnay: Sourced from vineyards in and around Dunnigan Hills, a region renowned for Chardonnay with a round, medium-bodied palate and ripe fruit character. This portion was tank fermented in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks to preserve its vibrant, fruit-forward profile, adding balance and approachability to the blend.
Winemaking
- Fermentation and Oak Aging: The Napa and Sonoma components (45% of the blend) were barrel fermented in French oak, with 10% new oak (medium-plus toast) imparting subtle vanilla and toast notes. The wine was aged for 7 months in French oak, with regular bâtonnage performed by winemaker Derek Irwin every two weeks for six months to enhance mouthfeel, creaminess, and complexity.
- Yeast and Fermentation: Fermentation began spontaneously with native yeasts, followed by two carefully selected yeast strains to ensure purity and consistency.
- Malolactic Fermentation: Approximately 70% of the Napa and Sonoma lots underwent malolactic fermentation, adding a round, buttery texture and mid-palate richness. The remaining 30%, along with the California appellation component, skipped malolactic fermentation to retain crisp acidity and freshness.
- Bottling: The wine was bottled on July 7, 2025. This thoughtful blend combines premium fruit, traditional techniques, and precise winemaking to deliver a balanced, complex, and approachable Chardonnay.
Technical Information
- Vintage:
- 2024
- Alcohol:
- 14.8%
- Region:
- California
- RS:
- 1.3G/L
- Varietals:
- 100% Chardonnay
- PH:
- 3.11
- TA:
- 5.8G/L
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