A divine treasure from the iconic Russian River Valley, the 2020 Woolsey Road Vineyard Chardonnay is a rare expression of elegance, power, and old-vine heritage. Sourced from 50+ year–old Old Wente vines rooted in sandy gold loam, this limited-production masterpiece delivers a sumptuous wave of tropical richness and fragrant florals — wrapped in a veil of coastal minerality and electric acidity. Its decadent finish lingers long after the last sip. Chill it until the lions change color, give it a gentle decant, and let the magic happen. With fruit harvested just one day before the Glass Fire started and only 150 cases produced, this vintage stands as an irreplaceable snapshot in time — a golden rarity that will never be replicated.

Retail: $85
Classic Club: $72.25
Elite Club: $67.99
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FOOD PAIRING: lobster rolls, seared scallops, stuffed salmon, and alpine cheeses
MUSIC PAIRING: Chardonnay Feels

Wine Profile

Tasting Notes

"2020 wasn't a total loss in Napa — some producers made very successful wines. Hertelendy Vineyards was one who navigated the waters and made some really great wines. The 2020's from Hertelendy are one of the highlights from the vintage and should not be overlooked." — International Wine Report

Ratings

“The 2020 Woolsey Road Chardonnay is fantastic. It instantly begins with aromas of pineapples, white peaches, crème brûlée, lemon oil, vanilla bean, chamomile tea and subtle hints of a wet stoney mineral character that all take shape. On the palate this possesses a gorgeous rich texture and seamless mouthfeel, with outstanding overall balance of fruit and acidity keeping it fresh and vibrant through the finish. This is a stunning Chardonnay from Hertelendy which is drinking beautifully today, and should waste no time showing its best stuff on release.” — International Wine Report, 95 Points

Awards

"The 2020 Hertelendy Chardonnay Woolsey Vineyard Sonoma County is medium gold; notes of honeycomb were the first aromatic descriptor we noted for this bottling. And like the other vintages of Hertelendy Chardonnay, this wine also offers stone fruits including of apricot and yellow nectarine. The bouquet is both sweetly fruited and ripe. The bouquet is perhaps a bit more floral than some of the other vintages including honeysuckle and guava. The palate is fresh and is dominated by the fruit rather than the oak. This bottling is rich and flavorful; the fruit-filled finish is persistent, accompanied by a light touch of toasted oak. This wine is showing exceptionally well at the time of our tasting, 3.5 years post vintage. Like the previous vintage, this wine was aged for 17 months in primarily new French oak barrels." — Napa Wine Project

Winemaker Notes

“I strongly believe that the best California Chardonnays ever produced were in the 1990’s: big, bold, seductive, provocative…I truly miss that lost art, and am reviving that style with distinguished Hertelendy elegance.” — Ralph Hertelendy