Dehlinger has long been recognized for its Russian River Valley Chardonnays, which are known for their balance, fresh acidity, and unctuous flavor.

Today, Dehlinger produces a single Estate Chardonnay bottling each vintage, originating from our eight acres of Chardonnay vines planted between 1975 and 1988. These old vines, grown in the region’s classic goldridge series soils, are grafted to the California heritage Wente clone, which produces small clusters and berries and has a notable minerality and almost oily viscosity.

Dehlinger’s Chardonnays are crafted using traditional techniques which preserve the flavor and elegance of the variety. At harvest, the grapes are picked at night, brought cold into the winery and whole cluster presse” to extract the highest quality juice. From there, the juice is fermented in French oak barrels using native yeasts. The wine gains further complexity through malolactic fermentation and a year of aging on the lees. Dehlinger has been bottling its Chardonnays unfiltered since the late 1990s in order to capture the full flavor potential and most pleasing texture possible.