ErnestVineyardsSonomaCoastChardonnay

Ernest Vineyards was founded in 2012 by husband-wife duo Todd Gottula and Erin Brooks. Inspired by the wines of Northern California’s rugged coastline, they were struck by the pioneering spirit of winegrowers in the viticulturally extreme conditions and profound wines they can create. Since winemaker Joseph Ryan joined in 2018, the wines have reached new heights and are consistently among our favourite West Sonoma Coast expressions.

Their 2023 Sonoma Coast Pinot Chardonnay is made from organically farmed fruit grown in cool-climate vineyards within eight miles of the coast. Fermented with indigenous yeasts with a proportion of whole clusters, it’s aged for 9 months in mostly used French oak barrels and bottled with minimal SO2.

93/100 – The 2023 Chardonnay Sonoma Coast is a bright straw color and is fresh and lifted with notes of delicate, flirty wet stones, white peach, fresh flowers, lemon zest, and salty earth. The palate is refreshing and even, with a medium-bodied frame, and it has a clean, mouthwatering, chalky texture, a good deal of length, and a fantastic finish. I love this wine – it’s just so energetic. It’s worth picking up a case to have on hand over the next 6-8 years. 1750 cases were produced. – Audrey Frick, Jeb Dunnuck

95/100 – A super lean, racy, mineral-driven wine, so fresh and linear and full of energy. Crisp green apples and lemon pith. Light-bodied and refreshing. At just 12% alcohol it’s easy to sip and enjoy multiple glasses. Fermented in oak barrels with native yeast and native malolactic for a slightly smoother texture. Drink now. – Jim Gordon, James Suckling