Ullom sources grapes from throughout the state, which gives him perspective on regional characteristics. Total production on the Vintner’s Reserve is more than two million cases, with 95% of the wine barrel-fermented in small lots. “It’s just cool, coastal fruit,” says Ullom of the statewide cuvee. Rita Hills and Santa Maria Valley.įew know these territories better than Randy Ullom, who’s made Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve for the past 27 years.
The dominant Chardonnay regions are Sonoma County, particularly the Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast, and the Central Coast, which includes Monterey County, Edna Valley in San Luis Obispo County and Santa Barbara County, home to the Sta. And as a single bottling, Kendall-Jackson’s Vintner’s Reserve Chardonnay crosses more Americans’ lips than any other wine. In 2018, it accounted for almost 20% of all table wine sold in stores. Sign up Privacy PolicyĬhardonnay is the best-selling wine in the U.S. Thank You! We've received your email address, and soon you will start getting exclusive offers and news from Wine Enthusiast. Approximately 614,500 tons were crushed that year, around double the amount processed in 1996. The state’s second-most planted grape, Cabernet Sauvignon, trailed by more than 1,500 acres. And today, despite stylistic swings from lean to rich to racy, the rise of an “Anything But Chardonnay” (ABC) revolution and increased interest and acreage for a diverse range of alternative white-wine grapes, Chardonnay still shows no signs of relinquishing that throne.įrom the cool coast and the warm Central Valley up through the Sierra Foothills, there were nearly 94,000 acres planted to Chardonnay in 2017. Counter clockwise: Lynmar 2016 Monastery Chardonnay (Russian River Valley) La Crema 2016 Chardonnay (Anderson Valley) Grgich Hills 2015 Estate Grown Chardonnay (Napa Valley) Le P’tit Paysan 2017 Jacks Hill Chardonnay (Monterey County) Au Bon Climat 2015 Nuits-Blanches au Bouge Chardonnay (Santa Maria Valley) and Chamisal Vineyards 2016 Califa Chardonnay (Edna Valley) / Photo by Julie Benedetto Chardonnay The Stylized WorkhorseĬhardonnay first appeared in viticultural reports from the 1880s as “Pinot Chardonnay.” A century or so later, soon after Chateau Montelena Winery wowed the world at the historic 1976 Judgment of Paris, American consumers would crown the grape as queen of California. From established brands to up-and-coming winemakers, there’s plenty to explore and experience across these classic California whites. The aromatic Pinot Gris/Grigio grape as well as nervy Sauvignon Blanc are also among the most widely grown, each planted to nearly one-fifth of the acreage of Chardonnay.Īll three bring something different and delicious to the table. These grapes have yielded breathtaking bottlings and catapulted California’s vinous reputation to a level that rivals those of classic European regions with eons of winemaking history and experience.Ĭhardonnay is the state’s most popular white wine and, overall, its most planted grape variety.
When it comes to white wines, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris or Grigio have emerged as the state’s blanc superstars. Throughout the past few decades, preferences have been cast for California’s prime varieties.
And along with such a bountiful climate comes a jaw dropping array of grapes that produce some of the world’s best wines. With abundant sunshine and warm weather, most of California exudes an endless summer vibe that’s the envy of many outside its borders.
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