Alexander Valley Vineyards Chardonnay

Alexander Valley Vineyards Chardonnay is a 14.0% ABV, 750mL white wine from Alexander Valley, California — an estate wine of the 720-acre Wetzel Family Estate, 99% Chardonnay and 1% Viognier per the winery's official fact sheets. The estate's Chardonnay grows on its coolest sites by the river — the family first planted the variety in 1966 — where morning fog and 40–50°F day-night swings build flavour over a long season. About 70% is night-harvested and cold-fermented in stainless steel with no malolactic fermentation; about 30% is barrel-fermented in French oak, goes through malolactic, and ages on its lees 6–8 months. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.

• ABV: 14.0% (official fact sheets, 2018 and 2021)
• Size: 750mL
• Appellation: Alexander Valley, California — Wetzel Family Estate
• Blend: 99% Chardonnay, 1% Viognier
• Winemaking: ~70% stainless steel, no malolactic; ~30% French-oak barrel fermented, malolactic, 6–8 months on lees
• Estate: 720 acres; Chardonnay first planted 1966 on the coolest riverside sites
• Producer: Alexander Valley Vineyards (Wetzel family), Healdsburg, CA

An Estate Chardonnay on Cyrus Alexander's Homestead

Harry and Maggie Wetzel bought Cyrus Alexander's historic 1840s homestead in 1962 — the valley is named for Alexander, and his original property is the estate. Planting began in 1963 and Chardonnay followed in 1966 on the cool riverside sites; their son Hank Wetzel founded the bonded winery in 1975 and made its first wines, and the family still runs it. The Russian River forms the estate's western border and funnels in the fog — an influence on the wine, though the appellation is firmly Alexander Valley. The two-stream cellar programme keeps the wine "rich, yet well balanced — lightly oaked" in the winery's words; the 2021 vintage earned 99 points and Double Gold at the California State Fair (official fact sheet). Find the estate on the Alexander Valley Vineyards vendor page or browse the white wine collection.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Apple, pear and vanilla with a floral note and a hint of oak (winery notes). Palate: Bright pear, apple and tropical fruit with citrus, in a rich mouthfeel. Finish: Very long, with slight minerality.

How to Enjoy

Serve chilled. The winery's pairings: halibut, cod, shellfish, poultry and pork, especially with creamy or citrus-based sauces.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a Russian River Valley Chardonnay? No — it is an Alexander Valley estate wine. The Russian River borders the Wetzel Family Estate and channels cooling fog into the valley, but the fruit and appellation are Alexander Valley.

How is it made? About 70% is cold-fermented in stainless steel with no malolactic fermentation, for citrus and green-apple freshness; about 30% is barrel-fermented in French oak with malolactic and 6–8 months on the lees, for body.

What is the ABV? 14.0% — the same figure on the winery's 2018 and 2021 fact sheets and the back label.

Estate Alexander Valley Chardonnay, family-made since 1975 — order it from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.