The Calling Chardonnay

The Calling Chardonnay is a Sonoma Coast Chardonnay from winemaker James MacPhail, bottled at 14.2% ABV in a standard 750ml format. The 2022 vintage earned 93 points from Wine Enthusiast, reinforcing this wine's reputation as a consistently well-scored California white.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.2%  |  Origin: Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California  |  100% Chardonnay  |  Producer: The Calling Wine

Production & Heritage

The Calling Chardonnay is made from 100% Chardonnay grapes sourced from the Sonoma Coast appellation, known for its cool maritime influence and extended growing season. The fruit is hand-sorted and 100% whole cluster pressed before undergoing barrel fermentation with wild yeasts. Two-thirds of the wine goes through malolactic fermentation, then the entire lot ages sur lie for roughly eight months in a combination of stainless steel tanks, neutral French oak, and new French oak — a split-vessel approach that balances richness against bright acidity. James MacPhail, who has built a strong track record with Sonoma Coast Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, oversees production.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with Gala apple and Asian pear before shifting into white peach, lemon balm, and pineapple sage. Delicate white flowers and a pithy citrus note emerge as the wine breathes.

Taste: The palate enters with bright Gravenstein apple and stone fruit, then broadens through the mid-palate with Meyer lemon and green apple tones. Acidity remains lively throughout, building in intensity and providing a clean counterpoint to the fruit sweetness and subtle oak influence.

Finish: Medium-length and textured, with lingering citrus pith and a faint mineral thread. The partial malolactic fermentation keeps the finish from turning heavy, ending on a bright, refreshing note.

How to Drink The Calling Chardonnay

Serve chilled to around 50–55°F in a wide-bowled white wine glass to let the aromatic layers develop fully. This Chardonnay stands well on its own as an aperitif or alongside food. For a White Wine Spritzer, the wine's natural acidity and fruit brightness hold up beautifully against sparkling water and a citrus twist. In a French 75 variation using white wine in place of gin, the stone fruit character adds depth without overwhelming the Champagne component. A Sangria Blanca benefits from the tropical and apple notes, which marry naturally with sliced pear and fresh herbs.

Best For

• A weeknight dinner wine with roasted chicken or grilled seafood
• Gifting a wine drinker who favors balanced, oak-aged California Chardonnay
• Hosting a summer gathering with charcuterie and cheese boards
• Introducing someone to high-quality Sonoma Coast whites

Frequently Asked Questions

What does The Calling Chardonnay taste like? The Calling Chardonnay delivers bright apple and stone fruit flavors with Meyer lemon acidity and a subtle oak-influenced texture. It strikes a balance between ripe fruit sweetness and clean, citrus-driven freshness.

How does The Calling Chardonnay compare to Dutton-Goldfield Dutton Ranch Chardonnay? Both wines source fruit from Sonoma Coast vineyards and receive similar critical scores in the 90–93 point range. The Calling tends toward a more fruit-forward, approachable profile due to its partial malolactic and mixed-vessel aging, while Dutton-Goldfield often leans more restrained and mineral-driven.

Is The Calling Chardonnay good for sipping on its own? Yes — its balanced acidity, layered fruit, and moderate oak influence make it an engaging sipper without food. Serving it slightly chilled brings out the citrus and floral aromatics.

Where is The Calling Chardonnay made? The Calling Chardonnay is produced in Sonoma County, California, from grapes grown in the Sonoma Coast AVA. This appellation is prized for its fog-cooled vineyards, which help Chardonnay retain natural acidity during the growing season.

What foods pair well with The Calling Chardonnay? Grilled halibut or seared scallops complement the wine's citrus and stone fruit notes. Roasted chicken with herbs mirrors the subtle oak and lemon balm aromas. Aged Gruyère or Comté cheese plays well against the creamy texture, and a pear-and-arugula salad with goat cheese echoes the wine's apple-pear character. Lobster bisque is another strong match, as the richness meets the wine's acidity head-on.

What sizes does The Calling Chardonnay come in? The Calling Chardonnay is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is The Calling Chardonnay worth the price? The Calling Chardonnay positions as a mid-premium Sonoma Coast Chardonnay, sitting above everyday California whites but well below single-vineyard bottlings from the same region. With consistent scores of 90 points and above from major publications, it represents solid value within its tier.

Why The Calling Chardonnay?

The split-vessel aging regimen — dividing the wine among stainless steel, neutral oak, and new French oak — is the production detail that defines this wine's character. It preserves the bright, citrus-driven freshness that Sonoma Coast fruit delivers while layering in enough texture and complexity to keep experienced palates engaged. A 93-point score from Wine Enthusiast on the 2022 vintage underscores how well this approach works in practice. For drinkers looking for a Sonoma Coast Chardonnay that avoids both the austerity of stainless-steel-only wines and the heavy butterscotch of fully oaked bottlings, The Calling occupies a distinctive middle ground.