Distinguished Oakville producer marks its decades-long commitment to exceptional winemaking with the release of the 2019 vintage
Oakville, CA, May 4, 2021 – Famed Napa Valley producer Far Niente is proud to announce the 40th anniversary release of its iconic Chardonnay. The 2019 vintage celebrates a milestone for the benchmark estate, and embodies Far Niente’s vision of crafting a singular expression of estate-driven and cellar worthy Napa Valley Chardonnay.
“We set a goal from the very beginning to produce one of the world’s great Chardonnays, a wine that is as timeless as it is enjoyable to drink,” stated Far Niente chairman and former winemaker Dirk Hampson, who produced the wines during the 1980s and 1990s. “The vision was to keep improving the Chardonnay each vintage, crafting a harmonious style of wine that had it all, while remaining true to our core values.”
Far Niente produced its inaugural Chardonnay from the 1979 vintage, sixty years after Prohibition shuttered the original stone winery in Oakville. It was Far Niente’s first wine in the modern era, setting a benchmark for luxury Chardonnay in the Napa Valley. From the beginning, the winery has focused on a single Chardonnay from its estate vineyards made without malolactic fermentation, aiming for a “house style” that seamlessly balances grace, elegance, depth and length.
“It’s an honor to be able to make Far Niente Chardonnay and to be part of such a storied estate,” commented Far Niente winemaker Nicole Marchesi. She is only the fourth winemaker in Far Niente’s long history, having joined the winery in 2005 as an enologist. “We take the best that the vineyards offer us each vintage to achieve the beautiful structure and distinctive style that defines our Napa Valley Chardonnay. From the variety of clones planted in our vineyards to the myriad techniques employed in the cellar, our consistent pursuit of excellence has enabled us to craft an ageable Chardonnay that is both rich, refreshing and nuanced.”
The heart of the Far Niente Chardonnay comes from grapes from the winery’s estate vineyards in Coombsville, a temperate growing region nestled in the foothills of the Vaca Mountains, east of the city of Napa. The well-draining gravelly loam and volcanic soils and long growing season, coupled with Far Niente’s winemaking experience, come together to produce an exceptional Chardonnay with the ability to age gracefully.
To celebrate the 40th anniversary Chardonnay, Far Niente is hosting a variety of events throughout the year, from special tasting experiences at its beautiful Oakville estate to a Hosted at Home Happy Hour featuring proprietress Beth Nickel. The wine is available for purchase in retail and restaurant locations nationwide and direct to consumers on the winery’s website.
About Far Niente Family of Wineries and Vineyards –
Far Niente was established in Oakville, CA in 1885 and prospered until the onset of Prohibition in 1919, when the winery ceased operation and the estate was abandoned. Sixty years later, in 1979, the old stone shell of a winery underwent a three-year renovation, which restored the building to its original, 19th century grandeur. During restoration, the name “Far Niente,” which romantically translated means “without a care,” was found carved in stone on the front of the building.
Far Niente helped create the high-end Napa Valley wine market and has served as the benchmark wine estate for more than three decades. Dolce, the only North American winery devoted to a single late-harvest, botrytized Napa Valley wine was introduced in 1989. Nickel & Nickel, launched in 1997, is focused on producing single-vineyard, 100 percent varietal, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. EnRoute, established in 2007 in the Russian River Valley, is dedicated to the appellation’s Pinot Noir. Bella Union, devoted to Napa Valley Cabernet and located along Bella Oaks Lane in Rutherford, introduced its first wine with the 2012 vintage. Most recently, Post & Beam launched in 2020 with classic expressions of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. Together, the wineries comprise the Far Niente Family of Wineries & Vineyards.
