Drink now through to 2028. Serve chilled.

The Stony Hill story began back in the 1940s when Fred and Eleanor McCrea discovered the perfect isolated property on Spring Mountain to start their own winery. The couple were in love with the sensational Chardonnay wines produced in Burgundy and set out to make their very own Californian versions in this rugged corner just north of St Helena.

Today run by the McCrea’s son Peter and his wife Willinda along with their daughter Sarah, Stony Hill is known all over California and beyond for their graceful Chardonnays which are made in a classic Old World style. Like their Burgundian cousins, these are wines that are made to be aged thanks to their excellent balance and decent levels of acidity. While it is ideal to drink now, this Chardonnay could easily be cellared for at least a decade or so longer.

On the nose there are enticing hints of green apple, fresh lemon zest and hints of white flowers which carry through on to the palate. The rich, concentrated fruit flavours and creamy texture are met by a crisp acidity and touches of flinty minerality which provide perfect harmony. This is a very elegant wine that still has youthful vibrance and shows much promise for the future.

Drink now through to 2027. Serve chilled.

A legendary figure in the winemaking world for his pioneering work in California’s Napa Valley, Robert Mondavi established his namesake winery in 1966 with the vision of crafting exceptional wines from traditional French varietals. Today the estate is in the capable hands of winemakers Geneviève Janssens, Joe Harden, and Megan Schofield who work tirelessly to keep his dream alive.

This sumptuous Napa Valley Chardonnay is made with grapes carefully sourced from the region’s top AVAs for Chardonnay. The majority of the grapes come from the southern end of the valley where conditions are cooler thanks to fog from the bay and sea breezes which helps them to ripen slowly and maintains freshness in the finished wine.

To capture the pure aromatic character of the Chardonnay grapes, the harvest takes place early in the morning. 70% of the fruit is then fermented in French oak barrels with the remainder vinified in stainless steel tanks. Both are then aged on the lees for 9 months with regular battonage. The result is a rich, creamy Chardonnay which exudes pineapple, pear and mango aromas and flavours along with roasted hazelnuts and sweet vanilla spice which are carefully balanced by a fine acidity.

Ideally drink now through 2026. Serve chilled.

Following the trend of moving away from full oak regimes, the Mer Soleil Silver Unoaked Chardonnay sees no time in oak whatsoever. Fermented in a combination of stainless steel and cement tanks, this wine is still a ripe and full-bodied example of California Chardonnay, but without the butter and vanilla notes that many people think overwhelm some white wines from the Golden State. Aromas of yellow apple, pear, and nectarine lead to a juicy and acidic palate that evokes Meyer lemon, passion fruit, and peach, with a bit of minerality finishing off the mouthwatering finish.

Grilled octopus salad, shrimp Louie, or a lobster roll would match this wine perfectly. The juicy, tropical fruit driven essences of this wine are soft and ripe enough that a buttery and/or richly flavored seafood dish is a great pairing.

Made by the Wagner family of Caymus and Meiomi fame, the Mer Soleil Silver Unoaked Chardonnay is fermented and aged in stainless steel and cement tanks, keeping oak flavors from the wine entirely. However, the wine does get small doses of oxygen which result in flavor development that helps mimics what oak barrels accomplish, but without adding any oak flavors. Bottled in distinct matte grey bottles that were inspired by the concrete fermenters that this wine was born in, this wine is a showstopper on the table, both in the bottle and in the glass.

Drink now through to 2034. Serve chilled.

The Chateau Montelena Chardonnay is one of the world’s most famous white wines thanks to the Judgement of Paris wine competition in 1976 which helped put the estate on the map. The competition pitted top wines from Burgundy against wines from California which were all tasted blind by the panel of French wine experts. To the surprise of the world, the judges selected the Chateau Montelena Chardonnay as the best white wine, placing it ahead of many famous white Burgundies.

Despite winning this competition, the Chateau Montelena Chardonnay has remained remarkably affordable and still offers exceptional value for money for those looking for an alternative to expensive white Burgundies. Following vinification the young wine is aged in French oak barrels for 10 months to add extra complexity and depth.

On the nose there are intense hints of white peaches, green apples and lemon zest while the first sip reveals a generous full body, soft tannins, and rich tropical fruit flavours which linger long on the tongue. There are delicious hints of sweet spices, smoke, and toast from the oak ageing. This is a wine that is delicious to drink now, although it can also be cellared for at least another decade for those that have the patience to wait.

Drink now through to 2026. Serve chilled.

This Russian River Chardonnay is made with a light touch in the winery to allow the character of the variety and the terroir to shine through. The cool conditions in this region produce exceptionally refined and elegant Chardonnays which offer ripe fruit character balanced by plenty of freshness. Following fermentation in oak barrels and sur-lie ageing, the winery ages the young wine in oak for a whole year to add a creamy texture and subtle tannins

On the nose there are notes of lemon zest, toasted sesame seeds, and marzipan while the first sip reveals delicate stone fruit, baking spice, and vanilla. The well-rounded mouthfeel, developed structure and freshness on the finish make this a good match for creamy dishes with pasta or chicken. This rich Chardonnay can also be enjoyed with risottos, cheeses, or even lobster served in a creamy sauce.

The Davis Bynum winery dates back to the 1970s when Bynum released the Russian River Valley’s first single vineyard Pinot Noir. Today Bynum’s legacy is continued by his great friend, Greg Morthole, who maintains the winery’s artisanal approach to winemaking and is continually striving to innovative while meeting Bynum’s high quality standards.

Drink now to 2029. No need to decant.

This Chardonnay blend introduces five predominantly French varietals to create a unique wine unlike any other made in California. The winemaker originally conceived of this wine as a white blend, but Chardonnay from Carneros and Sonoma Valley became the dominant varietal. From these regions, the winemaker sources Chardonnay from particularly cool climate vineyards to showcase the best grapes in one of the best Chardonnay growing regions in the world.

In the glass, the wine has a pale straw color and releases aromas of granny smith apple, poached pear, jasmine and orange blossom. When tasting, an assertive mouthfeel and striking acidity give way to layers of honeysuckle, white peach and tangerine. The wine is aged in 40% new French oak and aged sur lie for nine months. This brings out lovely baking spice and crème brulee notes and an intoxicatingly creamy mouthfeel.

The vibrant acidity and lush mouthfeel make this a perfect accompaniment to assertive and sharp cheeses.

Orin Swift Cellars is owned and operated by David Swift Phinney. After falling in love with wine on a trip to Florence, Italy, he worked as a temporary harvester for Robert Mondavi Winery before starting Orin Swift Cellars in 1998. Orin comes from his father’s middle name while Swift is his mother’s maiden name.