Rodney Strong, Chardonnay 2021

The west and southwestern regions of Sonoma County are ideal for growing chardonnay grapes. The cool maritime influence of the Pacific Ocean arriving reliably in the form of fog each summer evening maintains the bright natural acidity that is key to the balance of any fine Chardonnay, while the warm summer afternoons ensure plenty of ripe fruit character. A combination of estate grown and locally farmed fruit, grown in the Russian River Valley, Alexander Valley, and Sonoma Coast appellations make this wine.

Rodney Strong recognized in the late 1960s that Sonoma County’s Alexander Valley was an exceptional area for heat loving Cabernet Sauvignon. He planted our first Cabernet vineyard in 1971, Alexander’s Crown, on a small hill in Jimtown, and the reputation for fine Sonoma County Cabernet has never looked back. Today we have three exceptional Cabernet vineyards, from Jimtown, to Geyserville, and all the way north to Cloverdale, planted in the well-drained alluvial, volcanic, and uplifted shale/sandstone soils that make Sonoma County an ideal place for this noble grape.