A By Acacia California Chardonnay
A By Acacia California Chardonnay is a 750mL white wine with a broad California appellation — the accessible diffusion line of Acacia Vineyards, the Carneros pioneer founded in 1979 by Mike Richmond and Jerry Goldstein. Launched in 2010 under Diageo, "A by Acacia" took the estate's name to California-appellated fruit, Monterey-area vineyards included. Retail listings for this SKU put its ABV between 13.5% and 13.8% with no official tech sheet retrievable; for the line's founding vintage (2009), the contemporary record (San Francisco Chronicle wine database) lists 13.7% ABV and a blend of 91% Chardonnay, 4% Viognier, 3% Chenin Blanc and 2% Muscat. Wine.com's winemaker notes for the wine (2020) describe fermentation on oak, completed malolactic fermentation and sur lie ageing. Later bottles vary, so treat the label as the final word on the wine in hand. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.
- Size: 750mL
- Appellation: California (incl. Monterey-area fruit)
- ABV: 13.5%–13.8% across retail listings (no official sheet retrievable); 13.7% for the founding 2009 vintage
- Winemaking: Fermented on oak, completed malolactic, aged sur lie (Wine.com winemaker notes, 2020)
- Blend: 91% Chardonnay, 4% Viognier, 3% Chenin Blanc, 2% Muscat (2009 record)
- Line: A by Acacia — diffusion line launched 2010
- Producer: Acacia Vineyards, Carneros, CA (est. 1979)
A Carneros Pioneer's California-Appellation Line
Acacia Vineyards helped invent Carneros: founded in 1979, it was among the first to champion Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the cool, bay-cooled district at Napa's southern edge. "A by Acacia" is a different proposition from the estate wines — a California-appellated line launched in 2010 that blends Chardonnay with small shares of aromatic varieties (Viognier, Chenin Blanc, Muscat in the founding vintage) for a softer, fruit-forward wine at an everyday price. Keep the two lines distinct: the Carneros estate Chardonnay is a separate, barrel-fermented wine. Find the house via the Acacia Vineyards vendor page or browse the white wine collection.
Tasting Notes
Nose: White peach and ripe pear with citrus blossom (winemaker notes). Palate: Golden Delicious apple, mango and papaya, opulent and mouth-coating over crisp acidity, with vanilla-spice from the oak. Finish: Soft and rounded.
How to Enjoy
Serve chilled. The soft, aromatic style suits grilled fish, roast chicken, salads and mild cheeses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is A by Acacia the same as Acacia Carneros Chardonnay? No — A by Acacia is a California-appellated diffusion line launched in 2010; the Carneros Chardonnay is the estate wine, with different fruit, production and price.
What is in the blend? The founding 2009 vintage was recorded at 91% Chardonnay with 4% Viognier, 3% Chenin Blanc and 2% Muscat; the blend is set vintage by vintage, so check the label.
When was Acacia founded? In 1979, in Carneros, by Mike Richmond and Jerry Goldstein — early champions of cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Carneros heritage at an everyday price — pick up A By Acacia Chardonnay at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.