2023 Post & Beam - Chardonnay Carneros

Post & Beam is a project from Far Niente, a Napa Valley estate with four decades of winemaking experience, created to offer the same polish and elegance as Far Niente's flagship wines at a more approachable price. The name nods to the hand-hewn timber framing found in wine country's oldest barns and buildings, structures built to last using simple, honest craftsmanship. That same philosophy carries into the wine itself, aiming for purity and easy drinkability without cutting corners on quality.

This Chardonnay is now sourced entirely from Carneros, a cooler region straddling southern Napa and Sonoma counties where breezes off San Pablo Bay temper the valley's warmth. That balance of coastal air and California sun gives the fruit both crisp acidity and full ripeness. Staying true to Far Niente's house style, the wine skips malolactic fermentation to preserve freshness and avoids new oak barrels, letting the character of the fruit come through without competing woody flavors.

The 2023 vintage opens with lemon curd, honeysuckle, and orange blossom, moving into flavors of melon, passionfruit, and Anjou pear. The finish is bright and vibrant, with lifted acidity and a lingering note of vanilla. It's a natural match for grilled scallops, roast chicken, or a simple plate of fresh oysters.