Wine lovers in the United States can't get enough of Chardonnay, whether it's plush and rich or lean and elegant (and everything in between). Not surprisingly, Chardonnay is the most widely planted white wine grape in the world. This is partly because producers have to keep up with demand, but it also speaks to Chardonnay's ability to thrive in various climates. Here, we zero in on one of the grape's key footholds: Sonoma County in California, a home to numerous microclimates well suited to Chardonnay, as well as a hotbed for evolving styles.
Russian River Valley was among the first American Viticultural Areas in Sonoma County, gaining recognition in 1983. The Dutton family has had roots in the area since the late 1800s; in the 1980s, after years of growing walnuts, pears, plums and apples, the Duttons turned to grapes as their most prominent crop. Today, the family's "Dutton Ranch" encompasses more than 1,200 acres spanning 80 sites across Sonoma.
Dutton Ranch supplied Chardonnay grapes for two wines in this lineup, a rich and complex 2021 from MacRostie and an elegant and soft bottling from Sonoma-Cutrer. Read on and get our scores and full tasting notes for these fantastic Sonoma Chardonnays and five others!
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