Lost Isle Chardonnay 2023

As any good winemaker will tell you, great wine starts on the vine. And no one is a bigger proponent of the philosophy than California’s William ‘Bill’ Knuttel.

After gaining recognition at two iconic California estates—Saintsbury Winery in Napa and Chalk Hill in Sonoma—for a mastery of Chardonnay and Pinot, he transformed Dry Creek Vineyard’s entire range as their Executive Winemaker. He also produced heritage Zinfandel for the lauded Zinfandel Advocates & Producers organization and served as president of the state’s official Cabernet Society, solidifying his talent and dexterity with some of the West Coast’s top varieties.

Now 40-plus vintages into his career, he taps into the relationships he’s built with vinegrowers statewide to produce his own lineup of delicious wines. Lost Isle Chardonnay is one of the most recent additions to his portfolio and it’s made with sustainably grown grapes from the family-owned Reamer Farms in Clarksburg.

Founded in 1877 by U.S. Navy veteran Isaac B. Parsons, the farm was extended to include vineyards about 100 years later. Today, it’s run by third-generation farmer James Reamer, who has prioritized viticulture and established a reputation for expressive, high-quality Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Pinot Gris and more.

With such excellent fruit, Bill didn’t need to do a lot of work in the cellar to create an equally high-quality finished bottling. The toughest part? Waiting out six long months of barrel aging in French oak.

On the palate, you can expect a rich, creamy mouthfeel, and a wave of tropical fruit and apple flavors.