2017 Matthiasson Chardonnay Linda Vista Vineyard Napa Valley 750 ml

A Visionary’s “Farm-First” Chardonnay

When we first tasted today’s mouthwatering $30 Napa Chardonnay, we were kicking our feet up with Steve Matthiasson—the world-renowned wine guru—watching the dusty sunset over one of Napa Valley’s most storied Chardonnay terroirs. For a second, the table got quiet, as we took in the view of the vines from his old Victorian and contemplated the nimble, elegant white wine that Steve had just poured into our glasses.

Finally, someone broke the silence. “Damn,” she said, swirling her glass after savoring a sip of Steve’s world-class 2017 Matthiasson Chardonnay Napa Valley Linda Vista. “It’s even better than the peaches.”

That’s high praise. Because in Napa, Steve’s not just lauded as the visionary SF Chronicle Winemaker of the Year and responsible for some of the most exciting white wines in the New World—he also grows the kind of peaches that would make the state of Georgia jealous. There’s no sweeter sight at a Napa backyard party than Steve and Jill Matthiasson showing up with a case each: one wine, one peaches.

Why do Steve’s peaches matter? Because Steve is a farmer first, and it shows in everything he does. His focus on quality from the ground to the glass has won him an exhaustive list of accolades—Wine & Spirits Magazine’s Top 100 Wineries, and a slew of James Beard Award nominations—in addition to a reputation as one of the producers revolutionizing the California wine industry by valuing exquisite balance over all else.

The refreshing, citrusy Linda Vista Chardonnay comes from one of the classic Chardonnay sites of California. Located just across the creek from the Matthiassons’ property in the western Oak Knoll District, the vineyard was planted by Chardonnay pioneer Beringer, and has been cared for by the Mathiassons since 2011. This area, where cooling bay breezes and clay soils produce white wines of zesty freshness, produced the Chardonnay that won the 1976 Judgment of Paris tasting.

Steve harvested the 2017 Linda Vista Chardonnay in multiple passes: It’s a full-spectrum Chardonnay that boasts an energetic zip from the earliest-picked fruit, and honeyed tones and nuttiness from the berries that enjoyed a longer hangtime. The result is exactly why Steve Matthiasson has gained a reputation as a peerless producer of white wine: It’s a world-class Chardonnay boasting California richness, Chablisien agility, and it is a flat-out steal at $30. Don’t miss out.