2021 Wood Family Vineyards Chardonnay – A Must Have Valentine’s Day Wine
The Winery
Located in eastern Livermore Valley, Rhonda Wood owner & winemaker, has been producing award winning wines for over two decades at Wood Family Vineyards. You can read more on her background from airline pilot to award winning winemaker at:
https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2016/02/10/wood-family-vineyards-2/ and
Here is just a “partial listing” of her current winning wines:
- 2021 “Para Mas Amigas” Chardonnay – Gold – 2023 SF Chronicle Wine Competition
- 2019 Clone 30 – Gold – 2023 SF Chronicle Wine Competition
- 2022 “Pink Pearl” Rose – Best of Class – 2023 SF Chronicle Wine Competition
- 2021 Albariño – Best of Class – SF Chronicle Wine Competition
- 2019 Cabernet Franc – Double Gold – SF Chronicle Wine Competition
- 2019 LVVC – Gold – SF Chronicle Wine Competition
- 2019 “Viva” Cabernet Sauvignon – Gold – SF Chronicle Wine Competition
- 2019 Merlot – Gold – SF Chronicle Wine Competition
- 2019 “The Captain” Red Blend – Gold – SF Chronicle Wine Competition
- 2020 “Big Wood” Zinfandel – Gold – 2023, SF Chronicle Wine Competition
- 2020 “Woody’s” Cab Cabernet Sauvignon – Gold – 2023 SF Chronicle Wine Competition
- 2018 “Especial” Cabernet Sauvignon – Silver – SF Chronicle Wine Competition
- 2018 Clone 30 Cabernet Sauvignon – Silver – SF Chronicle Wine Competition
- 2019 “El Loco Rojo” Bordeaux Red Blend – Silver – SF Chronicle Wine Competition
- 2019 GSM – Silver – SF Chronicle Wine Competition
- 2019 ‘Muy Bueno” Zinfandel – Silver – SF Chronicle Wine Competition
The Wine 2021 Wood Family Chardonnay
(Photo ©Michael Kelly)
This wine has truly been one of my favorite Chardonnay’s for the last six years. While always delicious and winning awards, with caramel and full secondary malolactic fermentation creating a tinge of buttery finish, each year has a slight change. Her 2021 Chardonnay is 98% of the same “deliciousness” as her 2020. The slight changes were twofold, the first being a more “mouth filling” slightly heavier body due to more stirring of the lees during barrel fermentation. The second was a hint of an ever slight Asian Pear sweetness on the finish. The balance of the wine was almost identical in color (golden yellow), aroma (fresh brioche), taste (pear and apple) and a beautiful finish! This wine was as “comfortable and inviting” as her previous vintages once again. The bottle sells for $32.
The Food & Wine Pairing
(Photo ©Michael Kelly)
Paired this evening with a new for us baked butterflied chicken breast stuffed with Swiss cheese, spices and fresh broccoli with a panko crust. Accompanied by additional broccoli, brown rice (not shown) and a fresh garden salad. The creaminess of the Swiss cheese with a slight buttery flavor of the Chardonnay was again spot on for a great meal.
Convinced that no matter what you are serving on Valentine’s Day, nothing says “Love” like Wood Family Vineyards Chardonnay!
Sláinte,
Michael
California Wines & Wineries 