Certified Sustainable, Organic or Biodynamic Green Certified

Region: America / California / Napa Valley

Chardonnay Reserve is vinified exclusively from grapes grown in Cakebread’s four Estate vineyards in the Carneros district of southern Napa Valley. These cool‐climate sites provide ideal conditions for the cultivation of world‐class chardonnay, especially as they’re planted to nine distinctive, high‐quality clones of the variety, each of which supplies desirable traits to the final blend. The grapes were night harvested and whole-cluster pressed, and each clonal selection was fermented and barrel‐aged separately. Fermentation took place in French oak barrels, 30% new, with 50% of the wine put through a secondary malolactic fermentation to enhance its texture and foster a rich, creamy mouthfeel. Aged 15 months in barrel with weekly stirring of the lees, only the very best lots were blended together to create a rich, luxurious Chardonnay boasting layers of complex aromas and flavors.

view all press reviews

• about the grape +
  • 
    Chardonnay

    Though it has a distinctive profile, Chardonnay reflects other factors such as soil composition and vinification technique. Chardonnay is a reliable, hardy and prolific vine whose only real vulnerabilities are frost and uneven development of fruit.