The 2023 Russian River Valley Chardonnay is a breakout vintage — electric, razor-focused, and unapologetically compelling. 

Sourced exclusively from 50+ year-old Old Wente vines, deeply rooted in sandy gold loam, the 2023 vintage delivers power through precision. Aromatics leap from the glass: lemon crème, white peach, and ripe pear, framed by crushed stone, toasted almond, and sea-spray minerality. The palate is vivid and charged — driven by brisk coastal acidity, sculpted texture, and a mineral core that carries the wine effortlessly from start to finish.

Native yeast fermentation and extended sur-lies aging build intensity and dimension without excess. Bottled unfined and unfiltered, the wine finishes long, focused, and exhilarating — unfolding into lemon oil, brioche, and a saline snap that demands another sip.

This is a Cabernet-lover’s Chardonnay in its purest form: structured, commanding, and age-worthy. With limited cases produced, the 2023 is not a wine to contemplate later — it is one to secure now. Once it disappears, it will not be replaced.

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

"The 2023 Woolsey Road Vineyard Chardonnay is absolutely succulent from the first pour. Its aromatic profile unfolds beautifully, showcasing layers of pineapple, ripe pear and tropical fruit, lifted by notes of honeysuckle, citrus blossom, and crème brûlée. The palate is richly textured yet impeccably poised, with bright, energizing acidity providing clarity and drive through the finish. Delicious, expressive, and already drinking beautifully, this Hertelendy Chardonnay delivers both sophistication and pure enjoyment." — International Wine Report, 96 Points

"Better and more finesse-driven than the ’22, the 2023 ‘Woolsey Road Vineyard’ comes from this esteemed location in Russian River Valley. Golden in the glass, this comes off dense and delicious with a seamless mouthfeel and glorious length. Rich pineapple and mango parade with saline drenched peach, baking spice laced pastry crust and shades of Macadamia nut on the palate. Downright delicious to enjoy now, enjoy this beautiful wine over the next eight plus years. Drink 2026-2034." — Owen Bargreen, 95 Points

"The 2023 Hertelendy Chardonnay, Woolsley Vineyard Russian River Valley is medium gold in color; sweetly fruited the bouquet offers scents of lychee, Alphonso mango, pineapple, honeysuckle, honeycomb (reminding us of the fresh honey we used to harvest from our own bee hives), butterscotch, creme Brule, vanilla and toasted coconut. Loaded with aromatic layers, this wine needs time in the glass to fully express itself. Rich aromatics. Get a nose-ful of this beauty. You will want to. The rounded and creamy mouth feel is supported by a bright finish. Its flavors include ripe pineapple, peaches in light syrup and stone fruits including apricot, yellow peaches, yellow mango, yellow nectarine and lingering notes of vanilla and creme Brule. This is a rich but balanced expression. This wine is unfined and unfiltered, using native yeasts. This wine spent 17 months aging in 90% new French oak barrels. 2023 was the best vintage that Ralph remembers during his 20+ years of winemaking; and self admittedly this is the best Chardonnay he has made. His first ‘aha’ Chardonnay moment was tasting Marcassin by Helen Turley." — Napa Wine Project