Founder’s Block is known for producing wines of exceptional character. The 2023 is an excellent representation of that. On the nose, stone fruit, spice, and subtle floral notes intrigue the senses. The first sip reveals baked apple, nectarine, and warm toasted oak spice. The rich, creamy mouthfeel is lifted by bright acidity, creating a well-structured, food-friendly wine.

Our 2023 Willamette Valley Chardonnay opens with delicate aromas of white flower, stone fruit, lemon peel, caramel, and toasted almonds. The palate is a beautiful compilation of subtle wet stone, citrus, and fresh baked bread.

Aromatics of fresh lemon curd with toasted meringue and pops of fresh citrus zest. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied with accents of brined minerality and candied tangerine and has a finish of nectarine and powdered peach pastilles.

Our 2023 Courtney’s Vineyard Reserve Chardonnay opens with toasted brioche, hazelnut, and vanilla bean custard. On the palate, the wine is mouthwatering, balanced, and viscous with good weight. It is rich in notes of crème brûlée, sweet creamy custard with confectionery vanilla wafer, and buttered popcorn on the finish. Pair with creamy pumpkin sauce over gnocchi with a crispy pork belly garnish.

This decadent Chardonnay opens with lush pear, peach, lemon chiffon, graham cracker, and toasted marshmallow aromas. On the palate, spiced apple, apricot, and vanilla buttercream combine with the beautifully creamy texture to create an opulent profile with an elegant finish.

Aromas of pear, melon, honeysuckle, apple, and brioche fill the nose. The palate is bright, offering creamy texture and flavors reminiscent of crème brûlée.

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.

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 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 2023 Storey Creek is perfumed and expressive. On the nose, layers of honeysuckle, orange blossom, and white flower swirl amid a warm base of barrel spice and vanilla. The palate is supple and creamy, with a graceful balance of citrus and green apple. Soft, textural richness flows across the mid-palate, perfectly balanced by vibrant acidity. The wine finishes with lifted energy and persistence.

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 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 lemongrass, butter, green apple, and pear. The palate delivers luscious viscosity and a lingering, velveteen mouthfeel. Chalky minerality and notes of citrus finish off with hints of nutmeg and coconut.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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 2024 Viognier opens with enticing aromas of rose blossom, tropical guava, mango, and peach. On the palate, lemon cream and tropical fruit with noticeable mid-palate viscosity, lead to a crisp finish.

The 2023 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.

This wine opens with confectionery aromas of crème brûlée crackle and toasted hazelnut. On the palate, balanced fruit and oak are the backbone supporting layers of flavor reminiscent of brown sugar caramelized pineapple. Toasted meringue lingers on the rich, opulent finish. This wine would pair perfectly with crispy skin branzino.

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.

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 opens with aromas of hazelnut, toasted meringue, and accents of pineapple. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, showcasing notes of rich honeysuckle and pineapple upside down cake with light toasted oak on the finish.

Our 2022 Reserve Russian River Valley Chardonnay is rich and expressive. Upon opening, mouthwatering aromas of white peach, butterscotch, and waffle cone are present. The palate is rich and round with bright fruit flavors, caramel notes, and hints of oak lingering on the finish.

The 2023 Patrick’s Chardonnay opens with a mouthwatering bouquet of ripe apple, dried pear, and a hint of lime wrapped up in toasted marshmallow and butterscotch. The full-bodied palate offers creamy texture and vibrant acidity, bringing out layers of tropical flavor. Minerality lingers on the long finish. This wine is an excellent option to serve with classic fettuccine Alfredo, or garlic risotto topped with seared scallops.

 Our 2023 T Anchor Chardonnay opens with aromas of candied lemon, clover honey, and toasted graham. On the palate, this wine is sophisticated with balanced acidity and a rich mouthfeel. Flavors of lemon curd and creamy texture are complemented by moderate confectionery notes and accents of toasted vanilla bean on 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 Chalone 2023 Chardonnay Musqué displays golden yellow hues in the glass with pear, banana, orange blossom and generous honeysuckle on the nose. This is a medium-bodied wine, characterized by juicy lychee, ripe pineapple, and grapefruit flavors. Defined minerality and mouthwatering acidity provide an energetic and rewarding finish.

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.

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.

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 fresh red apple, honeydew melon, lemon, hints of citrus and rose petal. The crisp, bright entry is beautifully balanced with flinty minerality on the finish.

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.