District 7 Chardonnay
District 7 Chardonnay is a 13.5% ABV, 750mL white wine from Monterey County, California — the Chardonnay of Scheid Family Wines' District 7 label, named for District 7, the old California grape-district designation that covered Monterey County. Scheid farms extensively across Monterey County, and the label is built on certified-sustainable estate vineyards in the county's cooler parts — planted on well-draining bluffs, benches and hillsides under brisk wind and fog. Per Scheid's 2018 tasting sheet, the wine is aged 70% in stainless steel and 30% in new French oak barrels for 10 months. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.
- ABV: 13.5% (current release)
- Size: 750mL
- Appellation: Monterey County, California
- Varietal: Chardonnay
- Ageing: 70% stainless steel / 30% new French oak, 10 months (Scheid 2018 tasting sheet)
- Producer: District 7 Wines, by Scheid Family Wines, Monterey County, CA (farming Monterey since 1972)
Named for Monterey County's Old Grape District
California sorts its wine country into 17 grape crush districts — and Monterey County is District 7, its official regional designation. The Scheid family has farmed wine grapes in Monterey County since 1972 and took the name for its county-focused label; the family winery is powered by 100% renewable wind energy from an on-site turbine. The county's shape does the winemaking favours: cold water and fog pour in off Monterey Bay, the Salinas Valley funnels afternoon wind, and Chardonnay ripens slowly into pineapple-and-citrus ripeness without losing its spine. Browse the label through the District 7 Winery vendor page or the wider white wine collection.
Tasting Notes
Nose: Yellow apple, pear and citrus with coconut, vanilla and toasty oak hints (Scheid 2018 tasting sheet). Palate: Medium-bodied, soft and balanced — bright fruit with a hint of butter. Finish: Lingering, subtle oak.
How to Enjoy
Serve chilled. Monterey Chardonnay's ripe fruit and freshness suit grilled fish, shrimp, roast chicken and creamy corn or squash dishes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "District 7" mean? It is the historic California grape-district number for Monterey County — the name Scheid Family Wines chose for its Monterey County label.
Who makes District 7? Scheid Family Wines, a Monterey County grower-producer farming extensively across the county.
What is the ABV? 13.5% on the current release.
Monterey County in a glass — order District 7 Chardonnay from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.