2023 Russian River Chardonnay, Journeyman

• Style: Cool-climate California Chardonnay
• Taste: Stone fruit, citrus, honeysuckle with mineral and creamy texture
• Food: Poultry & Chicken; Shellfish & Crustacean; White Fish; Oily Fish; Pasta & Risotto
• Occasion: Date Night; Gifting
• Serve: 14% ABV, unfined & unfiltered

In the Glass — Tasting Notes

Stone fruit and citrus lead this cool-vintage expression, joined by honeysuckle and tropical florals that add perfumed depth. A year on lees — split between barrel and concrete egg fermentation — built layers of creaminess wrapped around a mineral spine, keeping the wine poised and food-friendly rather than heavy. The 2023's extended growing season in Russian River Valley allowed the fruit to accumulate structure and brightness, resulting in a wine that breathes rather than shouts.

The Winery — Pete Seghesio, San Lorenzo Vineyard

This is what happens when a legendary winemaker steps away to build something smaller and more personal. Pete, who spent decades crafting celebrated wines at his family estate, now works from a tiny cellar below his home on the San Lorenzo vineyard — the same site his great-grandfather tended in 1896. The fruit was harvested at night and pressed at dawn, then divided between barrel and concrete egg fermentation with native yeasts. His reputation for sourcing exceptional fruit from growers he got to know over many years speaks for itself; his restraint here proves why. At 14% ABV and unfined, unfiltered, it's a grown-up bottle that rewards patience in the glass.

At Your Table — Food Pairing & Serving

Pair this with roasted chicken, grilled fish with brown butter, or anything built on creamy sauces — it's equally at home with braised seafood or charred spring vegetables. The textural sophistication and mineral backbone make it a natural choice for date nights and special gifts alike. If you're drawn to cool-climate expressions of Chardonnay, this sits alongside the finest work we've found. Explore our broader United States selection to discover more wines that reflect this same commitment to quality and restraint.