2023 Chamisal Vineyards Chardonnay, San Luis Obispo Coast, California, USA

ABOUT THE WINE

Made from 100% Chardonnay, this bottling comes from Chamisal’s historic estate vineyard in the San Luis Obispo Coast AVA, where the proximity of the Pacific Ocean plays a defining role. The estate encompasses approximately 80 acres planted across three distinct soil types, including calcareous and clay-rich soils. Cooling marine influence extends the growing season, allowing the grapes to develop flavor and concentration while maintaining the bright natural acidity that has become a hallmark of Chamisal Chardonnay.

Chamisal approaches Chardonnay with an emphasis on purity, freshness, and site expression. The Estate Chardonnay draws from the property to capture the vineyard’s broader character, balancing ripe citrus and orchard fruit with floral lift, coastal salinity, and mineral tension. At 13.5% alcohol, the 2023 is generous enough to provide satisfying texture while remaining focused and energetic. It is delicious now but has the structure to develop through approximately 2030.

Its combination of fruit, acidity, and subtle coastal character makes it particularly versatile at the table. Pair it with shrimp scampi and linguine, grilled prawns, roast or poached fish, crab, scallops, roast chicken, or creamy vegetable dishes.

ABOUT THE PRODUCER

Chamisal Vineyards is one of the pioneering estates of California’s Central Coast. Its vineyard was first planted in 1973, making it the first vineyard established in what would become the modern winegrowing region around Edna Valley and the San Luis Obispo Coast. Today, the estate continues to focus heavily on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, varieties particularly suited to its cool, maritime environment.

Chamisal’s philosophy centers on expressing the intersection of coastal climate, distinctive soils, and careful farming rather than simply pursuing ripeness or richness. The winery has also placed increasing emphasis on sustainability, including the adoption of more organic and regenerative viticultural practices. Its Chardonnay program ranges from crisp, minimally adorned expressions to more concentrated, site-specific bottlings, but freshness and coastal identity remain consistent themes throughout. The 2023 Estate Chardonnay sits at the heart of that philosophy: polished and approachable, yet firmly shaped by the cool Pacific conditions of the San Luis Obispo Coast.