2022 Head High - Chardonnay Sonoma County (750ml)

Head High was founded in 2015 by Bill Price, a Sonoma wine country entrepreneur, longtime surfer, and owner of respected wineries including Three Sticks, Kistler, and Gary Farrell. Price built Head High with a straightforward mission: bring wine from Sonoma County's finest vineyards to a broader audience at a more accessible price. His deep connections with growers, including his own famed Durrell and Gap's Crown vineyards, allow the winery to source excellent fruit that might otherwise go to far pricier labels, and that access remains central to Head High's identity today.

The 2022 vintage draws on fruit from three Sonoma County vineyards, each contributing its own microclimate and clonal character to the finished wine. In a deliberate stylistic choice, the Chardonnay is fermented and aged entirely in stainless steel with malolactic fermentation blocked, keeping the wine crisp and fruit driven rather than buttery or oak influenced. That minimal winemaking philosophy reflects Head High's broader approach across its lineup, letting Sonoma County's coastal growing conditions speak clearly through the fruit itself.

The wine offers tropical fruit and lemon peel on the nose, followed by ripe pear, green apple, and stone fruit on a bright, full bodied palate. Well integrated acidity keeps the finish clean and refreshing despite the wine's richness. It pairs beautifully with grilled shellfish, Thai style grilled chicken, or a simple summer salad.