Whites

If inflation is getting you down, you might take comfort that Fred Franzia (owner of Bronco and the Grand Cru winery) once famously said, “There’s no wine worth more than 10 bucks a bottle.” And with Grand Cru Chardonnay, he delivers a white wine that’s remarkably well-balanced, fresh and tasty, and affordable in these times. A blend of 75% Chardonnay, 11% Pinot Grigio, 6% Viognier, and 8% termed “proprietor’s blend,” this wine is perfect for winding down after a busy workday.  According to the winery, “The Grand Cru Chardonnay is a light straw color with pear, melon, and vanilla aromas. Citrus and green apple flavors combine with a silky mouth feel.”

Because a grape like Sauvignon Blanc can be so influenced by its terroir, Joel Gott crafts this complex wine by sourcing fruit from a variety of regions. In 2019, Napa and Sonoma fruit accounted for the body and viscosity in the blend, while Lake County provided the citrus and marine-influenced Monterrey added the tropical aromatics. Vineyards in the Santa Barbara region contributed minerality and structure from the diverse and rocky soils of Santa Ynez and Happy Canyon. The growing season started a bit later in 2019, leading to a later-than-usual harvest of fresh and well-balanced fruit in September. This Sauvignon Blanc is both rich and crisp and will accompany a wide range of salads and casual dishes with chicken, fish or pork.

A crisp Chardonnay priced for everyday drinking that delivers flavor and pleasure. What’s not to like? Three Thieves Chardonnay is clean and crisp, with citrus and tropical flavors and notes of toasty oak. The wine is medium-bodied with a lovely, slightly creamy texture. Partial malolactic fermentation softens tart flavors while keeping the flavors pure. Fermentation on American and French oak imparts a note of spice. Try this delicious Chardonnay with Caesar salad, crab cakes, or pasta with creamy sauces. 

A perfect summertime sipper, this crisp Pinot Grigio will keep you cool and refreshed on hot sultry evenings. The blend consists of 76% Pinot Grigio, 9% Riesling, 5% French Colombard as well as a couple other varieties. To enhance the best characteristics of this varietal, the wine was cold fermented in stainless steel without undergoing any malolactic fermentation. As a result, bright aromas, fresh fruit flavors and crisp, refreshing acidity make for a wine that’s so good, it’s a steal! 

Castle Rock Sauvignon Blanc is fresh, crisp, and refreshing, a zesty wine that tastes great with lunch, dinner - or in between! The low price makes it an easy choice for a weekday meal or a large gathering of friends or family. The grapes are sourced from California vineyards with excellent conditions for this variety. The winery describes “aromas of lemongrass, grapefruit and lemon thyme with a hint of minerality. On the palate, it is lively and fresh, with balanced acidity and flavors of pineapple and mandarin, with a lingering citrus zest.” Try it with seafood, chicken, salads, and vegetable dishes.

From vineyards along the Central Coast comes this juicy and affordable Chardonnay. Because of the maritime climate of sunshine, fog and ocean breezes, wines from this region balance intense flavors with bright acidity. In 2022, Central Coast vineyards fared better than those in inland regions where September heat spikes challenged winemakers at the end of the growing season. Longer “hangtime” enhanced the acidity in the fruit, producing an elegant Chardonnay with a rich, ripe and fruity character. Try it with fish, poultry, and lightly sauced entrees.

Dressage is a new label produced by Castle Rock in celebration of 25 years in the business. According to the winery, “the art of Dressage is about the harmony, elegance and balance between horse and rider.” As Castle Rock sees it, the same holds true for winemaking, with the winemaker working to harmonize the grapes, soils and climate into perfect balance. These elements come into sharp focus in this wine, a Chardonnay from select vineyards along the cool Central Coast. Awarded 86 points by the Wine Enthusiast, Dressage Chardonnay pleases with aromas and flavors of apple and citrus with tropical fruit, subtle oak, and vanilla notes. 

Seaglass Central Coast Chardonnay is sourced entirely from the Los Alamos Vineyard in the Los Alamos Valley. Like Santa Barbara County’s two more famous valleys, Santa Maria to the north and Santa Inez to the southeast, the Los Alamos Valley funnels cool air in from the Pacific Ocean, making it ideal for varieties such as Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. This vineyard features sandy soil, which provides not only excellent drainage but also warmth, allowing the vines flower to early and have more time to develop concentrated flavors. In order to highlight the coastal terroir, this Chardonnay is made in stainless steel without aging in oak barrels and without undergoing malolactic fermentation. These practices help emphasize the qualities of pure Chardonnay: stone fruit aromas as well as fresh flavors of green apple and zesty citrus. The refreshing acidity and vibrant texture make this wine a perfect complement for light pastas, grilled fish, or summer salads.

Spring and summer evenings are certain to pair well with a glass of  Seaglass Sauvignon Blanc. The wine is fresh, a bit tart, and loaded with lemon, lime, pear, gooseberries, and even fresh-cut grass. The secret to the flavors is the terroir of the Los Alamos Vineyard in Santa Barbara County. Sandy soils radiate warmth, precipitating early bud break, while cool fogs and ocean breezes stretch out the ripening process. These conditions allow grapes to develop a wonderful balance of acidity, flavor, and minerality. Cold primary fermentation and no malolactic fermentation keep the delicate flavors forward, fresh, and crisp, and the affordable price makes enjoying a bottle easy on any occasion. Pair this wine with crab cakes, scallops, or seafood pasta for a lively lunch.

Bodkin’s Sauvignon Blanc gets evenings off to a great start — in any season! As Christopher Christensen puts it, “Peaches, pear, guava and jasmine aromas explode from the glass. Subtle hints of gooseberry and pine needles add to the complexity of enticing aromas. The wine begins on the palate like taking a fresh bite out of a crisp pear. Sweet apricots and green apples dance along the tongue. The limey, textured finish is refreshing with just a hint of toasted cashews from the very small percentage of the wine fermented in oak.”

Why do we love Riesling? A great combination of aromatics, fruitiness, minerality, acidity, and most of all: versatility. Consider Asian cuisine; how many wines will enhance the range of meats, seafood, starches, veggies, spices, and textures on one table at the same time? Seaglass Riesling comes from cool vineyards in Monterey and Santa Barbara counties, where the coastal breezes and low rainfall encourage the grapes to develop the aromatics, vibrance and minerality we look for in a Riesling. The distinctive blue glass bottle signals a casual spirit, but this wine will add a refreshing dimension not only to Japanese cuisine but also to spicy Asian or Latin dishes, smoked salmon, or lobster salad.

A great price and crisp and zesty deliciousness make Joel Gott’s California Sauvignon Blanc the go-to wine of the summer. Critics and consumers alike love this wine for its aromatic delights and mouthwatering flavors. The 2022 vintage was #31 on the Wine Spectator's wines of 2023! But the current vintage may place even higher as the cool summer allowed the fruit to ripen at a snail’s pace. Sourced from vineyards in Sonoma, Lake County, Lodi, Monterey, and Santa Barbara, the grapes were pressed gently and given a long, cool fermentation in stainless steel tanks. Careful blending was the key to expressing the particular characteristics of each vineyard. This Sauvignon Blanc is crisp and flavorful and will accompany a wide range of salads and casual dishes with chicken, fish, or pork.