At a glance

Producer

Varner

Region

Santa Cruz Mountains, California, USA

Grape variety

Chardonnay

Wine type

White

Body

Light-bodied and Crisp

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$50-80 USD (as of 2024 secondary market; original release ~$40 USD)

Tasting profile

Lemon curd, baked apple, toasted hazelnut, wet stone, honeysuckle, with hints of flint and subtle oak.

Evolution: Aged examples will show deeper gold color, dried fruit, nutty and honeyed undertones, less overt fruit.

At peak: Complex, balanced, with layers of orchard fruit, minerality and refined oak integration.

Structure

Acidity

Medium+ (natural acidity characteristic of Santa Cruz Mountains)

Tannins

None (Chardonnay; white wine)

Alcohol

13.5% ABV (typical range for this wine)

Aging potential

9-10 years from vintage in optimal storage; extended aging gives more nutty, honeyed notes.

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2018 to 2021

Optimal window

2016 to 2023

Current status

At or slightly past optimal maturity; drink now for peak expression.

Current condition

Developed with tertiary complexity. Freshness may be fading, but top bottles retain poise.

Varner Home Block 2013 is renowned for its crystalline acidity and nuanced oak, supporting graceful evolution over 8-10 years. At this stage, primary fruit recedes, giving way to nutty complexity and minerality—hallmarks of mature Santa Cruz Chardonnay.

Food pairing

Roast chicken with herbed jus, lobster with drawn butter, risotto with wild mushrooms, aged Gruyère cheese, or seared scallops.

Serving

Decant

Not required

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 7/10

Dry-farming, cover cropping, hand harvesting, minimal intervention, use of natural biodiversity, low-input viticulture. Packaging is standard glass, cork closures.

Varner brothers have long focused on sustainability with dry-farming, minimal chemical input, and biodiversity promotion. No formal certifications, but their holistic approach and low-production, estate-driven viticulture reflect sustainable goals. Transportation to overseas markets increases footprint. Packaging is not lightweight or alternative. Overall, a conscientious small producer, scoring 7/10 for sustainability relative to global peers.