Tasting Notes
Sterling Vineyard’s 2025 Unoaked Chardonnay glints like a light-yellow diamond, reflecting fruit-forward facets of golden kiwi, quince, Pink Lady apple, and key lime curd aromas, lifted by a sea breeze gust of salinity. The delicate palate projects a flinty minerality zested by lime, with crisp, yellow fruit tones of Bosc pear, canary melon, and fresh, white nectarine. A creaminess imbues the mid-palate, enlivened by bright acidity that flows through the juicy finish, gilded by a touch of marzipan. A perfect choice for weekend brunch, enjoy this unoaked gem with quiche Lorraine, eggs Benedict, bagels, and blintzes
Technical information
Vintage
2025
Varietal
Chardonnay
Appellation
Stanly Ranch, Carneros
Blend
100% Chardonnay
Alcohol
14.3%
Volume
750 mL
Winemaking
Chardonnay grapes for this wine were picked in mid-September and, after whole-cluster pressing to release juices, placed into stainless steel tanks for a cool fermentation. To maintain crisp freshness, the wine remained in tank for 5 months, with no malolactic fermentation or oak-aging.
Vintage
The 2025 growing season was defined by substantial winter rainfall and cooler overall conditions, setting a steady, unhurried pace in the vineyards. Ample soil moisture and the absence of major heat events allowed for gradual, even ripening, with early phenolic development occurring at lower sugar levels. As a result, the wines show exceptional depth of color, vibrant natural acidity and refined structure without excess weight. Brief rain events during harvest required patience and careful timing, ultimately allowing for precise picking decisions. Wines from this vintage reflect balance, elegance and composure - a classic Carneros profile.
Vineyard
Fruit for this crisply styled Chardonnay comes from Stanly Ranch, a well-established vineyard located in the cool, windy Los Carneros American Viticultural Area (AVA) at the southernmost tip of Napa Valley. Just half a mile from San Pablo Bay, the vineyard’s shallow clay loam soils and marine-influenced climate yield small Chardonnay grapes with beautifully balanced acidity and flavors.