Rodney Strong Sonoma County Chardonnay
Rodney Strong Sonoma County Chardonnay is a 13.5% ABV, 750mL white wine from Sonoma County, California — 100% Chardonnay from estate-grown and locally farmed fruit on the benchland and alluvial soils of the Russian River Valley, Dry Creek and Sonoma Coast appellations, per the winery's official tech sheets (the figure is stable at 13.5% across the 2017 and 2023 sheets). The cellar regime splits the wine: about 60% barrel-fermented and barrel-aged with monthly lees stirring, about 40% cold-fermented in stainless steel, with roughly three-quarters going through malolactic fermentation — richness and freshness in one Sonoma County blend. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.
- ABV: 13.5% (official tech sheets, 2017 and 2023)
- Size: 750mL
- Appellation: Sonoma County, California (Russian River Valley, Dry Creek, Sonoma Coast fruit)
- Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
- Winemaking: ~60% barrel-fermented and barrel-aged with monthly lees stirring; ~40% stainless; ~75% malolactic
- Producer: Rodney Strong Vineyards, Healdsburg, CA (founded 1959; Klein family since 1989)
Sonoma County's Chardonnay, from Its 13th Bonded Winery
Rod Strong — a former professional dancer turned wine pioneer — founded his Healdsburg winery in 1959, the 13th bonded winery in Sonoma County, and helped make Chardonnay the county's white signature. The Klein family, fourth-generation California farmers, has led the estate since 1989, farming exclusively in Sonoma County. The Sonoma County Chardonnay draws on the county's fog-cooled west and southwest, where Pacific fog preserves acidity while warm afternoons ripen the fruit — the balance the 60/40 barrel-and-steel regime is built to keep. The winery's press boilerplate records Wine Enthusiast naming it American Winery of the Year in 2013. Shop the house on the Rodney Strong Vineyards vendor page or browse the white wine shelf.
Tasting Notes
Nose: Apple and Meyer lemon with baked pear and a hint of nutmeg (winery tech sheets). Palate: Baked fruit and toasty vanilla spice, creamy in texture with bright citrus fruit. Finish: Crisp yet lingering — crème brûlée and Bartlett pear.
How to Enjoy
Serve chilled. The winery's own pairings run to fish tacos with mango-avocado salsa, apple-and-brie grilled cheese and grilled vegetables — seared scallops and soft mild cheeses work too.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ABV? 13.5% — consistent across the winery's official Sonoma County tech sheets (2017 and 2023).
How is it made? About 60% is barrel-fermented and barrel-aged with monthly lees stirring; about 40% is cold-fermented in stainless steel; roughly 75% goes through malolactic fermentation.
Who founded Rodney Strong? Rod Strong, in 1959 — the winery was Sonoma County's 13th bonded winery; the Klein family has owned it since 1989.
Sonoma County Chardonnay from a founding name — get Rodney Strong Chardonnay online from Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.