2018 Dehlinger Garbro Ranch Chardonnay

Dehlinger Winery is in the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County, California. It was founded in 1975 when Tom Dehlinger, a University of California at Davis educated enologist, planted 14 acres of vineyards. Today Dehlinger and his wife Carole still own and operate the estate, which has grown to 45 acres. Dehlinger specializes in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and wine reviewers routinely praise the estate’s wines for their Burgundian qualities. Along with its flagship Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Dehlinger also makes Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Rose wines. California wine reviewer James Laube has written that as a winemaker, Tom Dehlinger has “shown a master’s hand in crafting intensely flavored, richly concentrated, succulent wines.”

Sonoma Coast AVA runs from San Pablo Bay in the south to Mendocino County in the north. It includes 7,000 vineyard acres and earned AVA status in 1987. Its proximity to the Pacific Ocean means it gets double the rainfall of nearby inland appellations and the ocean gives the appellation a relatively cool climate. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir can thrive in these conditions, and there are numerous producers making critically acclaimed Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

This white variety originated in Burgundy, but is now grown around the world. Its flexibility to thrive in many regions translates to wide flavor profile in the market. Chardonnay is commonly used in making Champagne and sparkling wines.