2020 Egret Chardonnay Sonoma Valley 750 ml

Since coming to California, Stéphane Vivier has crafted some of the most collectible Burgundian wines made in California. His Vivier wines can be found at MICHELIN three-star The French Laundry—and his Chardonnay is being poured by the glass at Napa’s famed La Toque as we speak!

Vivier’s Burgundian-style wines can cost a mint, which is why the 2020 Egret Chardonnay is such an earth-shaking bargain. Estate-grown in Sonoma Valley, crafted by Stéphane, it’s bursting with Meyer lemon, green apple, and hints of acacia and butterscotch—bright and elegant, but showing the unmistakable stamp of California richness.

Stéphane Vivier always had a precocious nose. He grew up in a small village in Burgundy, and at the age of five, he could guess what his mother was making for lunch just from the aromas. He had his first taste of Pinot Noir at age 10, and later learned winemaking from a neighbor whose family had been producing wine for centuries. 

After earning degrees in viticulture and enology, Stéphane rose through the ranks of the wine world and eventually found himself recruited to join one of the world’s most acclaimed vintners at his California outpost. After making a name for himself in the Golden State, he helmed what is arguably Napa Valley’s most acclaimed Chardonnay house. 

Made from grapes grown on south-facing, sunny vineyards on Sonoma Mountain, the 2020 Egret Chardonnay shows his fantastic touch. It’s golden-tinged in the glass, with aromas led by a bounty of peach, Meyer lemon, and green apple, along with hints of acacia and butterscotch. The mouthfeel brings richness and finesse, a kiss of vibrant acidity, and a long-lasting finish.