19 Crimes Martha's Chardonnay

19 Crimes Martha's Chardonnay is a California Chardonnay bottled at 13.8% ABV in a 750ml format, produced as a celebrity collaboration between Martha Stewart and the 19 Crimes wine label. This expression marked the brand's first venture into California winemaking — a notable departure from its established Australian portfolio — and has drawn favorable attention from Wine Enthusiast for its spicy complexity and deft use of oak.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.8%  |  Origin: California, United States  |  Varietal: 100% Chardonnay  |  Brand: 19 Crimes (Treasury Wine Estates)

Production & Heritage

19 Crimes is owned by Treasury Wine Estates, an Australian wine conglomerate known for brands like Penfolds and Wolf Blass. The label built its identity on bold, fruit-forward Australian reds before expanding into California with Martha Stewart's collaboration — a white wine designed around approachability and richness. The Chardonnay undergoes malolactic fermentation for buttery roundness and sees sur-lies aging to develop a toasty, creamy character, finished with caramel-toned oak influence that gives the wine its signature warmth.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Golden yellow in the glass, opening with toasted baguette and stone fruit. Bright citrus peel and honeysuckle emerge alongside a distinctly sweet, oaky character that signals the creamy palate to come.

Taste: The entry is round and off-dry, with ripe Bartlett pear and Fuji apple flavors arriving first. Mid-palate shifts toward tropical fruit and muted Mandarin orange, layered with creamy caramel oak and a touch of ginger spice. Light butter notes and golden apple add depth without heaviness, supported by good acidity at a measured 3.48 pH that keeps the sweetness in check.

Finish: Medium in length with a crisp, refreshing close that balances the wine's richer elements. Lingering toasted oak and a whisper of Bosc pear fade gradually.

How to Drink Martha's Chardonnay

Well-chilled between 45–50°F is ideal for capturing both the fruit brightness and the creamy oak texture. This Chardonnay also works as a versatile cocktail and spritz base. A White Wine Spritzer with soda and a lemon twist lets the citrus and pear shine through. A Chardonnay Sangria loaded with sliced stone fruit and a splash of brandy plays off the wine's tropical notes. A French 75 variation using this Chardonnay in place of Champagne adds buttery richness to the classic template.

Best For

• Hosting a casual dinner party where an approachable but interesting white is needed
• Gifting a fan of oaked Chardonnay or Martha Stewart's brand
• Pairing with a weeknight roast chicken or pasta night
• Introducing someone to the oaked Chardonnay style without overwhelming them

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Martha's Chardonnay taste like? It delivers ripe pear and golden apple flavors layered with creamy caramel oak, light butter, and a touch of ginger spice. The profile is off-dry with enough acidity to keep it balanced and refreshing.

How does Martha's Chardonnay compare to Kendall-Jackson Chardonnay? Both are popular California Chardonnays with oaky, fruit-forward profiles, though Martha's Chardonnay leans slightly sweeter with more pronounced caramel and sur-lies character. Kendall-Jackson's Vintner's Reserve tends toward a brighter tropical style with crisper acidity, and typically sits at a slightly higher price point.

Is Martha's Chardonnay good for beginners? Yes — its off-dry fruit sweetness, light-to-medium body, and approachable oak make it an excellent entry point for anyone exploring oaked Chardonnay for the first time.

Where is Martha's Chardonnay made? It is produced in California, United States, under the 19 Crimes label owned by Treasury Wine Estates. The brand is headquartered in Australia but sources fruit from California vineyards for this specific expression.

What foods pair well with Martha's Chardonnay? Roast chicken or turkey benefits from the wine's buttery oak; creamy pasta dishes like fettuccine Alfredo mirror its richness; grilled shrimp highlights the citrus and pear notes; mild cheeses such as Brie or Gruyère complement its caramel undertones; and glazed pork chops play well against its off-dry sweetness.

What sizes does Martha's Chardonnay come in? It is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Martha's Chardonnay worth the price? Martha's Chardonnay positions as a value-tier California Chardonnay that delivers notable complexity for its price bracket, particularly with its sur-lies aging and malolactic fermentation — techniques more commonly emphasized in higher-priced bottles.

Why Martha's Chardonnay?

What sets this wine apart is the unlikely pairing of a label built on rebellious Australian reds with one of America's most recognized lifestyle figures — and the result is a California Chardonnay that actually delivers beyond the celebrity label. Sur-lies aging and malolactic fermentation give it genuine textural depth, while Wine Enthusiast singled it out for spicy complexity and a deft touch with oak. At the value end of the California Chardonnay spectrum, it punches above expectations and has built a loyal following among drinkers who want oaky richness without the premium price tag.