Livermore, California, United States
Founded in 1883, Wente Vineyards is the oldest continuously-operated, family-owned winery in the country; owned and managed by the fourth and fifth generations of the Wente family. Located just east of San Francisco in the historic Livermore Valley, Wente Vineyards is recognized as one of California's premier wine country destinations. The winery draws from nearly 3,000 acres of Estate vineyards in the Livermore Valley, San Francisco Bay and Arroyo Seco, Monterey appellations to create an outstanding portfolio of fine wines.
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Riva Ranch Vineyard Chardonnay
| SKU | 403220 |
| Country | United States |
| Region | Monterey, CA |
| Type | White |
| Varietal | Chardonnay |
| Listing | Speculative |
| Case Config. | 12x750ml |
| Available In | BC AB SK MB |
Colour
Golden yellow.
Aroma
Lovely notes of citrus and tropical fruit, such as pineapple and mango.
Flavour
Rich mouthfeel gives a taste of lemon-curd or baked apple tart, graham and toasty vanilla from barrel aging. This opulent Chardonnay has balanced acidity and a long smooth lingering finish.
Food Pairing
Pair with green or pasta salads, grilled or poached white fresh fish or shellfish, and roasted chicken infused with herbs.
More Info
Arroyo Seco is widely regarded as one of the best places in California to grow Chardonnay. Riva Ranch is the name of the Wente family's vineyard in Arroyo Seco, where we have been growing Chardonnay since the 1960's. Wente Vineyards was the first California winery to produce a wine labeled as Chardonnay in 1936. Today, many of the great Chardonnay vineyards in California are planted with the Wente Clone. Riva Ranch is presently planted to three Dijon clones and two Wente clones: clone 2A which had been originally selected for it's intense varietal character and low yield, and clone 4, a second generation Wente clone. This wine is barrel fermented about 90% in a combination of 60% new and 40% second use French and American oak barrels which adds notes of vanilla and spice and a softer, fuller mouthfeel. 10% is stainless steel fermented preserving the natural vibrancy of the fruit. Riva Ranch Chardonnay undergoes 100% malolactic fermentation and is barrel-aged sur lie for 8 months.
Tasting Panel Magazine, Oct/2024
2023 -
"One of California's most iconic Chardonnays, this vintage is fresh and vibrant, with butterscotch melded to a stony frame. The mouthfeel offers a sensation of creamy oak with a tension from its fine acid structure. Mango and banana are pleasing treats." - Meredith May
Tasting Panel Magazine, Jan/2024
2022 -
"Lemon drop, sweet cream, fresh corn, and pear tart are some of the stunning flavours that perform on the nose and palate. Pineapple upside-down cake, gardenia, and jasmine are exotic and reflect a marvelous vintage."
James Suckling, Feb/2024
2022 -
"Grilled pistachio and creamy toast to the ripe, spiced pineapples and lemon curd. Round and full-bodied on the palate with supple, medium-low acidity and a phenolic bite to the broad, waxy finish. Sustainable."
Wine Enthusiast, May/2024
2022 -
"Warm aromas of Lemonhead candies, lemon curd, Asian pear and wet rocks invite the nose. The palate combines zesty lemon peel flavors with creamier notes of toasted almond, butter and honeysuckle while leading into a salty finish."
Decanter World Wine Awards 2024
2022 -
Wine Spectator, Jul/2024
2022 -
"Grilled pineapple, Meyer lemon and marmalade notes are generous and plump, with juicy acidity. Details of cardamom, clove and candied ginger finish on a supple, creamy frame."
Darren Oleksyn, Calgary Herald, Sep/2024
2022 -
"It’s hard to talk about California chardonnay without mentioning Wente Vineyards, which has worked with the grape since 1908. In fact, a clone developed by the Wentes is grown by other wineries throughout the state. The Riva Ranch vineyard south of San Francisco has been managed by Wente Vineyards since the 1960s. About 90 per cent of the juice was barrel fermented in new and second-use French and American oak. It was also aged on the lees — dead yeast cells — for six months, creating a lovely creamy texture. Look for flavours of lemon, nectarine, mandarin orange, vanilla, cream and buttered popcorn. Consisting of 97 per cent chardonnay and three per cent gewurztraminer, it boasts just a kiss of spice."
Tasting Panel Magazine, Nov/2022
2021 -
"This is one of the most succulent, juicy, Chardonnays on the market, featuring opulent notes of honeysuckle, nectarine, and key lime against a subtle, woodsy backdrop. Pineapple charms on the midpalate before giving way to a graceful hint of candied ginger on the finish."
Wine Spectator, 2023
2021 -
"Vibrant and succulent, with apricot, citrus and melon notes that mingle effortlessly with salted toffee and spices, showing plenty of verve on the finish. Drink now."
James Suckling, May/2023
2021 -
"Notes of sliced apples and pineapples with dried herbs, white flowers and raw almond. Medium- to full-bodied with a sleek and juicy mouthfeel. Bright and fruit-forward with fresh acidity. Drink now."
Decanter World Wine Awards 2023
2021 -
"Rich aromas of candied ginger and ripe peach, salted caramel and lemon curd nuances. Savoury palate."
Wine Spectator, Apr/2022
2020 -
"Ripe and generous, with mango, peach and lemon curd flavors that come across as polished and supple, showing accents of salted caramel and spice on the finish. Drink now through 2030."
The Tasting Panel, Apr/May/2021
2019 -
"What we love about this iconic estate-grown white is its round, rather voluptuous body. Less rich than in former vintages, it offers lovely notes of lemon blossom and pineapple as well as striking acidity that’s further enlivened by tarragon, sage, white pepper, and a thread of oyster-shell minerality. A small percentage of Gewürztraminer was added to the wine, which fermented in French and American oak (90%) and stainless steel (10%)."
James Suckling, Oct/2021
2019 -
"Toast, butterscotch, salted butter, dried mango, burnt lemon and apple pie on the nose. Full-bodied and opulent with a bold, buttery and concentrated palate. Drink now."
Wine Enthusiast, Apr/2020
2018 -
"Daffodil, white flower, Asian pear and almond aromas make for a clean and crisp nose in this single-vineyard expression from the pioneering family. It's lively and fresh in flavors of honeydew, pear and sea salt."
San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition 2020
2018 -
Double Gold
The Tasting Panel, Jul/2019
2017 -
"The Wentes have been farming in the cool Monterey County sub-AVA of Arroyo Seco since the 1960s. Offering a longer growing season than Livermore Valley, this area has deep volcanic soils that produce naturally richer fruit. Barrel-aged in French oak and 10% stainless steel–fermented, this wine shows opulent aromas of butterscotch and white pear that lead to a silky entry. Honeysuckle and ripe pineapple strap in a minerality that entwines with an innate creaminess. A classic."
Wine Enthusiast, Sept/2019
2017 -
"Fresh pear, nectarine, smoke and apple aromas show on the nose of this bottling. The palate is very ripe with pear and apple-butter flavors, which are cut by lemon spray and then finish toward marzipan and chalk."
Los Angeles International Wine Awards 2018
2016 -
Best of Class and Gold Medal
Natalie MacLean, Sept/2018
2016 -
"Wente Riva Ranch 2016 is a dry, buttery, single-vineyard, cool-climate Chardonnay from the Arroyo Seco in Monterey County, California. Look for fresh acidity to accompany the buttery fruit, ripe apples, peaches and nectarine flavours. My mouth is watering! This Chardonnay is 90% barrel-fermented, giving it some creaminess and spice as well on the palate. This vintage was awarded Silver at the 2018 Critics Challenge International Wine Competition."
Wine Enthusiast, Mar/2018
2016 -
"There's a classic California Chardonnay backbone to this bottling, with aromas of toasted wood, creme brulee, poached pear and apple custard, yet there are also more delicate hints of chalk and orange blossom as well. The palate combines ripe Pink Lady apples and vanilla spice and caramel richness."
Wine Spectator, Mar/2018
2016 -
"Fruity, with white cherry and Gala apple flavors that are accented by minerally and creamy accents. Offers a clean and spicy finish. Drink now through 2019. 120,000 cases made."
Wine Enthusiast, Aug/2018
2016 -
Editor's Choice "This is a great price for a single vineyard Chardonnay, and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser, thanks to the familiar buttered toast and singed oak aromas, which are cut but a lemon-curd-pastry element. The palate falls in line with traditional California style, but done well and balanced, with oak, vanilla and marshmallow flavors."
San Francisco International Wine Competition 2017
2015 -
Double Gold Award
Los Angeles International Wine Competition 2017
2015 -
Gold Medal
California State Fair Wine Competition 2016
2014 -
Gold Medal & ‘Best of Class of Region’
Los Angeles International Wine Awards 2016
2014 -
Gold Medal
Los Angeles International Wine Competition 2017
2015 -
Gold Medal
California State Fair Wine Competition 2016
2015 -
Best of Class of Region & Gold Medal