Valley Of The Moon Unoaked Chardonnay

Valley Of The Moon Unoaked Chardonnay is a stainless-steel-fermented Sonoma County Chardonnay at 13.5% ABV in a 750ml bottle. Built around a 97% Chardonnay core with small additions of Pinot Blanc and Muscat Canelli, this wine earned 87 points from Wine Enthusiast on its 2012 vintage for its brisk acidity and ripe fruit character.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.5%  |  Origin: Sonoma County, California  |  Style: Unoaked Chardonnay  |  Winery: Valley of the Moon Winery

Production & Heritage

Valley of the Moon Winery sits on Sonoma Valley land first planted to grapevines in 1863, making it one of California's oldest vineyard sites. The Unoaked Chardonnay is fermented entirely in stainless steel tanks, preserving bright fruit and mineral character without any barrel influence. Roughly 80% of the wine undergoes malolactic fermentation — a deliberate partial conversion that softens acidity while retaining enough freshness to keep the palate lively. The blend incorporates 2% Pinot Blanc and 1% Muscat Canelli alongside the dominant Chardonnay, adding subtle aromatic complexity.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Orange blossom and nectarine greet the nose first, followed by delicate mineral notes and hints of melon rind. A faint cucumber-like freshness lingers underneath, giving the bouquet an almost garden-like quality.

Taste: The entry is crisp and zingy, with ripe tangerine and peach flavors dominating the front palate. At mid-palate, white apple and citrus tighten the profile before traces of honeyed sweetness emerge, balanced by underlying shale-like minerality. The partial malolactic fermentation provides a rounded mouthfeel without blunting the wine's natural brightness.

Finish: Medium in length with clean acidity carrying lime pie and melon notes to a refreshing close. The finish stays lean and focused, never turning heavy or buttery.

How to Drink Valley of the Moon Unoaked Chardonnay

Serve well-chilled at 45–50°F to highlight the wine's mineral structure and fruit purity. This style shines without any oak influence, so it rewards straightforward, temperature-conscious serving.

• Spritz: Use as the base for a white wine spritzer — its brisk acidity and citrus profile hold up to sparkling water and a twist of lemon.
• French 75 (wine variation): Substitute this Chardonnay in a still-wine riff on the classic — its tangerine notes complement gin and lemon beautifully.
• Sangria Blanca: The peach and melon flavors integrate naturally with sliced stone fruit and a touch of brandy in a white sangria.

Best For

• Warm-weather patio drinking where a crisp, refreshing white is essential
• Converting drinkers who think they dislike Chardonnay due to heavy oak
• Pairing with a raw bar or seafood-focused dinner party
• Casual weeknight meals where an easy-drinking but characterful wine fits the table

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Valley of the Moon Unoaked Chardonnay taste like? It delivers ripe tangerine, peach, and white apple flavors with mineral undertones and a crisp, citrus-driven finish. The style is bright, lean, and refreshing — no buttery or oaky qualities.

How does Valley of the Moon Unoaked Chardonnay compare to Chablis? Both share a bright, mineral-driven profile without oak influence, and tasters frequently draw the comparison. The key difference is that the Sonoma bottling leans toward riper stone fruit and melon, while Chablis typically shows more pronounced flinty minerality and tighter acidity from cooler Burgundian climate conditions.

Is Valley of the Moon Unoaked Chardonnay good for people who don't like oaky Chardonnay? Absolutely — stainless steel fermentation and zero oak aging eliminate any buttery, toasty, or vanilla notes entirely. This is one of the most approachable entry points for drinkers who have sworn off the category.

Where is Valley of the Moon Unoaked Chardonnay made? It is produced by Valley of the Moon Winery, located in Sonoma Valley, California on vineyard land first planted to grapes in 1863. The fruit is sourced from Sonoma County, with Russian River Valley fruit contributing to the blend.

What foods pair well with Valley of the Moon Unoaked Chardonnay? Fresh oysters and raw shellfish match the wine's brisk minerality. Grilled white fish like halibut or branzino complement its citrus notes. Goat cheese salads echo the wine's tangy acidity. Chicken piccata works well with the lemon-lime finish. Light Thai dishes with lemongrass and ginger align with the wine's aromatic freshness.

What sizes does Valley of the Moon Unoaked Chardonnay come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is Valley of the Moon Unoaked Chardonnay worth the price? It positions as an entry-level to mid-range Sonoma County Chardonnay, delivering a level of complexity — particularly through its partial malolactic fermentation and multi-varietal blend — that punches above many wines in the same value tier.

Why Valley of the Moon Unoaked Chardonnay?

The partial malolactic fermentation at 80% is the production decision that defines this wine's personality — enough conversion to add body and roundness, enough retained acidity to keep the profile vibrant and food-friendly. The unconventional addition of 2% Pinot Blanc and 1% Muscat Canelli is a subtle but meaningful choice, layering floral and aromatic dimensions you rarely find in straightforward unoaked Chardonnay. Produced on one of Sonoma Valley's oldest vineyard sites, the wine carries a sense of place without relying on oak to communicate it. For drinkers seeking a California Chardonnay that behaves more like a crisp European white, this is a smart and well-made choice.