SONOMA, Calif. (July 24, 2023)—On August 4th National White Wine Day, wine enthusiasts around the country are invited to sip and celebrate the legacy of two Sonoma County wineries with more than 80 years of combined experience crafting exceptional white wines in California – Chalk Hill Estate Winery and Ferrari-Carano Vineyards & Winery.
Chalk Hill Estate Winery – A Trailblazing Legacy:
Founded in 1972, Chalk Hill Estate Winery has made a significant mark on the world of white wine production in two key ways: by helping to establish a new growing region in 1983, the Chalk Hill AVA, and by developing its own proprietary chardonnay clone, “Clone 97”.
White wines are the backbone of Chalk Hill Estate, where eight distinct chardonnay bottlings exemplify the property’s diversity of site, clones and soils. Nearly 50 percent of Chalk Hill Estate is planted to white wine varieties, with chardonnay comprising the majority of the plantings (1/3 of the estate vineyards), followed by sauvignon blanc.
Chalk Hill works with 17 different chardonnay clones, of which the golden child is Chalk Hill Proprietary Clone 97 Chardonnay, a clone that exists only on the Chalk Hill Estate. Clone 97 was registered in 2003, resulting from collaborative clonal studies between the winery and UC Davis that began in 1996 and continued through 2001. This clonal experiment, intended to benefit the wine industry as a whole, demonstrates the value of clonal diversity.
Such a significant focus on chardonnay is largely unheard of in present-day California, underscoring Chalk Hill’s vision and dedication to its flagship varietal. The winery’s pioneering efforts have solidified Chalk Hill Estate Winery’s position as a leader in fine white wine production.
Ferrari-Carano Vineyards & Winery – Perfecting Fumé Blanc:
The story of Ferrari-Carano Fumé Blanc dates back more than 40 years to the founding of the winery in 1981. One of the first Ferrari-Carano wines ever released, Fumé Blanc has long been one of the winery’s flagship wines – and for good reason. Comprising 100 percent sauvignon blanc grapes, it spends time aging in both neutral oak and stainless steel prior to bottling, which retains the variety’s characteristic crisp acidity but also yields a rounder, richer style with texture and tropical aromas. The near-universal appeal of this wine has helped it become one of the top-selling sauvignon blancs in the country, at an extraordinary price point: under $15.
Today, Ferrari-Carano’s Fumé Blanc continues to be an icon of the winery’s commitment to producing outstanding white wines, alongside five distinctive chardonnay bottlings, a recently re-branding pinot grigio, and a special viognier available only at the winery. Grapes for these wines are sourced from the estate’s own certified-sustainable vineyards, ensuring the preservation of the land for generations to come.
Raise a Glass on National White Wine Day:
As National White Wine Day approaches, wine lovers are invited to experience the extraordinary legacy of these two wineries by visiting https://shop.
About Chalk Hill Estate Winery
Family owned and operated since 1972, Chalk Hill is known for its celebrated chardonnays, its legendary status as a member of the ‘Class of ‘72,’ and decades of clonal research that led to the development of the signature Chalk Hill Clone. Founded in 1972 by Fred Furth, Chalk Hill was acquired by Foley Family Wines in 2010. Located in the Chalk Hill sub-appellation of the Russian River Valley AVA in Sonoma County, the estate is found at the convergence of numerous naturally defined winegrowing regions in eastern Sonoma. Under Bill Foley’s leadership, the iconic 1,300+ acre estate includes 314 acres of California Certified Sustainable vineyards, a winery, a hospitality center, culinary gardens, residence, stables, estate pavilion, and a wilderness area. The winery name has become synonymous with high-quality, distinctive and terroir-driven luxury wines with a winemaking team led by esteemed Winemaker Darrell Holbrook. More information is available online at www.chalkhill.com
About Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery
Nestled in picturesque Dry Creek Valley, Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery has been home to award-winning wines, exquisite gardens and breathtaking vineyard views for more than 40 years. At the beautiful Italianate hospitality center, Villa Fiore, guests may stroll lush gardens and taste wines in the Villa Fiore Wine Shop, at the Enoteca bar in the underground cellar, outside on Il Terrazzo, under the Fontana Pergolas, or during Sunday Wine and Brunch on the Sycamore Grove. Spanning 1,200 acres across three counties, Ferrari-Carano’s 21 certified-sustainable estate vineyards provide the grapes that go into its esteemed wines. Ferrari-Carano is one of the region’s leaders, setting the bar for the highest standard in hospitality, wine quality and sustainability. More information is available online at https://www.ferrari-carano.com/
