This wine presents inviting aromas of orange blossom and white peach, accented by delicate floral notes and a lift of fresh orange zest. The palate is layered with warm brown spice and creamy lemon tones, complemented by ripe peach and a thread of elegant minerality. The balance of richness and freshness creates a refined, harmonious finish.

This 2024 Bay Vista Chardonnay is a vibrant expression of its coolclimate origins, greeting the nose with a warm, complex bouquet of baking spice, vanilla, and the nostalgic sweetness of toasted marshmallow. These rich notes are beautifully uplifted by the high-toned brightness of lemon zest and the crisp, orchard-fresh scent of Gala apple. On the palate, the wine delivers a lush core of succulent peach that is perfectly balanced by a bright, punchy acid profile typical of the region’s coastal influences. Each sip remains crisp, clean, and incredibly refreshing, ultimately evolving into a sophisticated savory finish.

Founder’s Block is known for producing wines of exceptional character. The 2022 is a delight for the senses with enticing aromas of nectarine, baking spice, ginger, and white flower. The richness of this wine is beautifully balanced with subtle minerality and bright acidity supporting layers of stone fruit and baked apple flavors. Serve lightly chilled with smoked salmon with lemon aioli and toasted brioche, fresh peach salad with baby greens, goat cheese and pistachios, or a garden pizza with basil pesto.

2024 growing conditions were great from the start. Abundant seasonal rains and consistent weather patterns kept the growing season on schedule. Aromas of apple pie, baked bread, toasted marshmallow, vanilla cream and lemon curd fill the air. The palate is rich and creamy with poached pear, hazelnut, and cinnamon delivering an elegant interpretation of the terroir and vintage.

The 2022 Little Patch Chardonnay is medium-bodied with a round, rich and creamy texture that is balanced by generous notes of apple pie, baked bread, pineapple, and a hint of vanilla spice. Fresh acidity carries it through the finish.

Our 2022 Wright Creek Chardonnay presents rich aromas and flavors of baked pear, spiced apple, toasted marshmallow and white flower. A full and luxurious texture fills the palate with a creamy structure and flavors of caramel apple pie, vanilla and green olive, leading to a long smooth finish.

The 2024 Steel Chardonnay offers aromas of fresh lemon zest, brined salinity, and accents of lime fruit. On the palate, this wine has flavors of white peach, hints of kiwi and citrus fruit with a crisp finish reminiscent of Fuji apple. This is the perfect wine to pair with a spring green pea shoot salad or ceviche.

This wine was especially unique as we worked with Proprietor Carol Ann Foley to create her “perfect” Chardonnay – a fresh, round, fruit-forward, and balanced, yet lighter style with notes of apple, pear, peaches, a hint of citrus, and a slight minerality. It finishes long with a beautifully balanced acidity.

The 2023 Carneros Chardonnay offers beautifully balanced fruit with richness imparted by time in French oak barrels. It displays an elegant profile of bright gala apple and lemon zest intertwined with vanilla crème and graham cracker notes. The finish is long and layered.

The 2024 Estate Chardonnay opens with notes of banana, vanilla, lemongrass, honey, Meyer lemon, and plenty of wet slate and river rock minerality. Flavors on the palate mirror the nose, adding stone fruits and toasty oak characters to round out this medium-bodied delightful Chardonnay.

This is a smooth and creamy wine made from our premium Chardonnay block on the estate. Aromas of golden apple and Bosc pear reveal confectionery caramel, toasted meringue, and brioche flavors on the palate. We suggest enjoying this wine paired with pan seared rock fish with lemon butter.

This Chardonnay is a wine of character with pleasant aromas and pale lemon-yellow color. The nose is buttery with sweet aromas of tropical fruit and cherry blossoms. On the palate, the wine is soft and silky with notes of brioche and tropical fruit that return pleasantly on the finish and a slight mineral note that adds complexity. It is a medium-bodied wine that goes well with white meat served with buttery sauces or crab.

The 2022 Reserve Chardonnay exemplifies the picturesque Carneros growing region. Opening with deeply complex aromas of apple crisp, caramel popcorn, golden delicious apple, quince, and créme brûlée, this wine beckons the first sip. On the palate, the creamy texture is layered with intriguing flavors - Bartlet pear, peach cobbler, graham cracker, and toffee, culminating in a long, indulgent finish.

The nose offers a beautiful medley of citrus and mandarin zest. This wine has a lean mouthfeel with bright acidity and mineral notes that complement delicate fruit flavors of ripe pineapple, pear, and peach. The briny minerality is mouthwatering, lean, and fresh. This is the perfect wine to pair with spring green lasagna or a brunch charcuterie board.

Our 2023 Estate Chardonnay offers a beautiful bouquet of apple pie, baked bread, pear, peach, honeysuckle, flint, and vanilla. The palate displays excellent weight and creamy smooth texture with crème brûlée, pineapple, baked tart, and nutmeg carrying it through the finish.

Our 2024 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay offers a bright, lively profile. Aromas and flavors Fuji apple, lemon curd, honeydew melon, toasty oak, and baking spices are complemented by flinty minerality and a touch of nutmeg.

The 2024 Sonoma County Chardonnay opens with aromas of graham cracker, butterscotch, pear, baked apple, and toffee. The palate delivers a beautiful compilation of pear, buttercream, nutmeg, lemon chiffon, caramel, and lemon honey.

The 2022 Felta Chardonnay is defined by its bright acidity and mineral finish. This wine displays desirable layers of baked pear, toasted oak, peach, lemon zest, and vanilla cream, enticing sip after sip.

The 2023 Reserve Chardonnay offers a fresh and compelling take on the classic California Chardonnay style. The wine first introduces a deep golden color in the glass then meets the nose with notes of yellow apples, caramelized pineapple, almond cookies, and pears. The palate delivers luscious viscosity and a creamy mouthfeel. Chalky minerality and notes of melon finish with hints of flint and woody spices. 

The 2022 Willamette Valley Chardonnay is an elegant wine with beautiful, delicate aromas of stone fruit and lemon peel with soft hints of caramel and roasted almonds. The palate has a lively entry full of bright citrus that transitions into a creamy mid-palate with a touch of fresh baked bread. The finish is soft with a lingering minerality and notes of wet stone.

The 2022 Carol Ann Chardonnay opens with enticing aromas of toasted vanilla, brioche, and toasted almond. On the palate, this medium-bodied wine has notes of confectionery white flower, citrus fruit, and graham cracker, finishing with nuanced lime zest and clover honey. Carol Ann pairs beautifully with halibut crudo in citrus ponzu.

The 2023 Felta Chardonnay is defined by generous layers of Meyer lemon, honeydew melon, and ginger. The luxurious, creamy texture culminates in a long, juicy, mineral finish.

This elegant Chardonnay has aromas of spiced pear and exotic mandarin with hints of vanilla and fresh cream. Bold flavors of pear and white nectarine are balanced with rich layered textures, a bright acidity and complemented by a luxurious texture from 100% oak aging. The finish is creamy, long and elegant. This wine pairs perfectly with Asian pear salad, halibut and lemon beurre blanc and toast almond cake.

This wine is a nod to our Sonoma County heritage, offering baked apple and pear with accents of flower, buttercream and soft meringue. Elegant texture and concentration on the palate make this Chardonnay a terrific pairing for fresh Dungeness crab risotto or roasted chicken with creamy mushroom and garlic sauce.

Dominique is the quintessential Russian River Valley Chardonnay, opening with aromas of maple, bacon, golden apple, fig, and hazelnut that give way to flavors of caramelized pineapple, ripe apple, and graham cracker. Balanced acidity complements the layers of concentrated aromas and flavors, while a toasty finish further characterizes this beautiful wine.

The 2022 Alexander Valley Chardonnay offers a bright, fresh profile. Aromas of lemon, quince paste, and vanilla spice lead to flavors of yellow apple, tangerine, and grilled pineapple on the palate. Toasted marshmallow, caramel, and brioche round out the finish. Serve this wine with mixed baby greens with roasted butternut squash, hazelnuts, and apple cider vinaigrette, or Dungeness crab macaroni & cheese.

This wine is the ideal blend of fruit and creaminess, with intentional depth and brightness. Baked pear, vanilla, baking spice, apple and butterscotch aromas are dashed with a bit of lemon zest. 50% malolactic fermentation adds texture to the wine that is perfectly balanced with peach salinity and a clean finish.

The 2024 Sonoma County Chardonnay presents a lovely toasted brioche aroma, with white peach, flower, and subtle pear notes. The palate offers a foundation of crème brûlée and bananas foster, layered with soft vanilla and nuanced pineapple juice on the finish.

The 2024 Chalk Hill Felta Chardonnay reveals an indulgent nose of apple tart, peaches, and honey, enriched by decadent notes of vanilla cream, crème brûlée, and baking spice from its time in oak. On the palate, this bright and floral wine balances a creamy texture and lush stone fruit with flinty minerality and sharp acid, culminating in a long salivating finish.

Emelia’s Cuvée Chardonnay opens with mouthwatering aromas of cinnamon, nutmeg, pear, golden apple, vanilla, and baking spices. The palate exhibits a luscious profile, offering baked apple, spiced pear, nutmeg, and butterscotch.

The 2023 opens with aromas of brioche, toasted graham, and accents of caramelized brown sugar. On the palate the wine is medium bodied, showcasing notes of ripe pineapple fruit, toasted vanilla wafer and marzipan lingering on the finish.

Our 2022 Patrick’s Vineyard Chardonnay opens with an intriguing bouquet of butterscotch, ripe apple, dried pear, and toasted oak. The aromas carry through to the full-bodied palate adding a touch of tropical pineapple. Vibrant acidity lends a long, textural finish. Pair with shrimp scampi, herb-roasted chicken, or creamy pasta.

Our 2024 Wright Creek Chardonnay opens with an inviting bouquet of toasted marshmallow and baked pear, evoking the comforting scent of a fresh-baked apple pie dusted with spice. These warm, indulgent notes are accented by the subtle influence of toasted oak and a bright lift of Meyer lemon. On the palate, this wine is remarkably dense and rich, offering a complex profile that includes hints of beeswax. Its creamy smooth texture provides a luxurious mouthfeel, ultimately resulting in an elegant and wellbalanced expression of the estate’s terroir.

The 2023 Merus Chardonnay is full-bodied and rich. The nose offers mouthwatering mineral aromas with a beautiful blend of baked apple, cinnamon and brown butter, and a touch of match stick. Stonefruit characters and elegant salinity carry this wine through an extended finish. Pair with oiled sardines on warm bread, or comté cheese.

Emelia’s Cuvée Chardonnay opens with mouthwatering aromas of baked apple, caramel popcorn, quince, fig, and nutmeg. The palate is rich and full with flavors of graham cracker, nectarine, ripe pear and notes of toffee through the finish.

The winter of 2021-2022 had minimal rainfall adding to drought conditions in Sonoma County and the North Coast region. With mild Winter and Spring temperatures, budbreak was ahead of average. Summer was warm and dry, with above average temperatures in August and September, leading to a early and fast ripening harvest. The warm weather resulted in ripe fruit flavors like white peach, apricot, apples, and nutmeg spice, with notes of graham cracker, vanilla, pear, quince, and nectarine on the nose.