2023 Vivier - Chardonnay Sonoma Mtn. Van der Kamp (750ml)

Stéphane Vivier grew up in the village of Meloisey in Burgundy's Hautes-Côtes de Beaune, where childhood afternoons in a neighbor's vineyard led him toward formal study in viticulture and enology at the Université de Bourgogne in Dijon. After stints in Switzerland, Sonoma, and New Zealand, he was chosen by Aubert de Villaine of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti to lead the Napa venture Hyde de Villaine in 2002. In 2009 he founded Vivier Wines with his wife, Dana, building a small, site-driven portfolio centered on Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

This Chardonnay comes from the Van der Kamp Vineyard, planted in 1952 on the north-facing bench of Sonoma Mountain at roughly 1,500 feet, one of the oldest and most storied sites in the region. The vines are farmed organically in volcanic loam over decomposed riverbed rock, with thin topsoil that naturally limits vigor and yields. Vivier's hands-off approach in the cellar lets the site's character carry through, resulting in only a small production each vintage.

The wine is fresh and precise, often likened to a California cousin of Meursault. Layers of citrus, white peach, and pear unfold alongside a whisper of clove and baking spice, framed by bright, persistent acidity and a long, mineral-tinged finish. Its texture is generous without being heavy, making it a natural match for roast chicken, grilled halibut, or a simple soft-ripened cheese.