The Major Anderson Valley Appellation Chardonnay Vineyards That Have Influenced Winemaking
Most of Anderson Valley Chardonnay goes into sparkling wine, and for those non-sparkling producers who love to make this noble grape in a still wine style, these vineyards have permitted them to do so:
- Valley Foothills Vineyard- planted in 1974 and the source of many early Chardonnay producer’s still wines and early sparkling wine producers
- Ferrington Vineyard – with original planting from the 1960s, and ongoing plantings since, this vineyard is also a major source of Chardonnay to those who enjoy crafting a still version.
- Savoy Vineyard – planted in 1991 by Richard Savoy, acquired by FEL in 2011 and sold to Donum Estate in 2023, this legendary vineyard is also a source of Chardonnay to several producers.
- Skycrest Vineyard has been a large reason why we are recently seeing newer Chardonnay’s hit the market. Planted in 2006 and more in 2011 and proving fruit to (first vintage): La Crema (2015), Copain (2016), Maggy Hawk (2018), Lula Cellars (2021), LIOCO (2018).
History Timeline of Anderson Valley Appellation Chardonnay Wine Producers
Note- this list is a compilation of research performed by the AVWA in 2025 and may not be complete. If you see something missing, or that needs to be updated, please email info@avwines.com. For appellation purity, this list does not include producers making Chardonnay from the Mendocino Ridge AVA. Thank you!
1970s Anderson Valley Chardonnay Wineries:
- Edemeads produced the first Chardonnay vintage in the region’s new modern winemaking era in 1971
- Husch Vineyards released their first Chardonnay in 1972 and they have grafted bud wood from that original Vine One to over 5,000 vines, referring to the wine as Vine One
1980s Anderson Valley Chardonnay Wineries:
- Handley Cellars released their first Chardonnay in 1983, presumably from nearby Day Ranch Vineyard
- Navarro Vineyards began producing Chardonnay in 1984
- Sparkling wine with mixed Chardonnay and Pinot Noir released from Scharffenberger 1981, Handley 1983, Navarro 1984, Roederer Estate 1988
1990s Anderson Valley Chardonnay Wineries:
- Cakebread- first AV vintage from their planted vineyard was 1997
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Williams Selyem- first vintage from Ferrington 1999 (pinot was 1998)
2000s Anderson Valley Chardonnay Wineries:
- Londer Vineyards made a 2005 Chardonnay from the Corby Vineyard
- Breggo Cellars made a 2006 Chardonnay from the Savoy Vineyard
- LIOCO made a 2006 Chardonnay from the Demuth Vineyard
- Meyer Family Cellars released a 2009 Donnelly Creek Vineyard Chardonnay, making this wine for more than a decade
- Knez made its first Chardonnay in 2009 from its estate vineyards Demuth Vineyard and Cerise Vineyard which they acquired in 2007 and 2008
- Copain releases the 2010 Tous Enseble Chardonnay
- La Crema begins makes their first Anderson Valley Chardonnay in 2012
2010s Anderson Valley Chardonnay Wineries:
- Rhys Vineyards Alesia produces a 2011 Chardonnay from the Bear Wallow Vineyard in the Deep End of the region
- County Line 2011 Chardonnay, a wine made by Eric Sussman of Radio-Coteau
- Radio-Coteau Savoy Vineyard 2012 Chardonnay is released
- La Crema begins making Anderson Valley Chardonnay in 2012 from purchased fruit
- FEL releases the 2012 Chardonnay (a blend of Ferrington and Savoy) after acquiring Breggo and renaming it FEL
- LaRochelle Wine began producing Chardonnay from Ferrington Vineyard in 2012
- Domaine Anderson first released a Chardonnay in 2012. They continued to expand their interest in Chardonnay, with the 2015 inaugural Walraven Vintage release
- Fathers + Daughters releases the 2014 Ferrington Vineyard Chardonnay, released from their family vineyard
- Phillips Hill releases the 2014 Ridley Vineyards Chardonnay
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Pennyroyal Farm releases the first 2015 chardonnay from their estate vineyard planting
- Long Meadow Ranch releases a 2015 Chardonnay
- Brick & Mortar wines began producing Chardonnay from Ferrington Vineyard in 2015
- Drew Family Cellars produced their first Valenti Chardonnay in 2015
- MacCrostie releases a 2016 Day Ranch Chardonnay
- Lula Cellars produces a 2016 Valley Foothills Chardonnay
- Poe Wines released its first Ferrington Vineyard Chardonnay in 2016, focusing on Burgundian-style wines
- Kosta Browne releases a 2016 Cerise Vineyard Chardonnay
- Maggy Hawk released their first Chardonnay from the Skycrest Vineyard in 2018
- Bravium released an appellation Chardonnay in 2018
- Dupuis Wines began making Ferrington Vineyard in 2019
2020s Anderson Valley Chardonnay Wineries:
- Thomas T Thomas releases his first Chardonnay and he has since planted Chardonnay in his estate vineyard
- Wentworth Vineyard released the inaugural 2021 Nashmill Vineyard Chardonnay from grapes they planted in their estate Deep End vineyard
- Ottavino Wines enters into the Anderson Valley wine scene with a 2023 Ferrignton Vineyard Chardonnay. Winemaker Shalini Sekhar is the winemaker for Anderson Valley winery Waits-Mast and not unfamiliar to the community