One of the most iconic Chardonnay wines produced in California, Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay bears the elegant imprint of its vineyard home – 68 acres that roll across the pastoral hill country of Los Carneros, a place where Napa Valley meets the northernmost rim of San Francisco Bay.

Cooled by the marine breezes off the Bay, the region has a long, steady growing season well-suited to growing superior quality Chardonnay. Shafer harvested their first fruit from this vineyard in 1994.

The vineyard is named to honor the Red-shouldered hawks who, along with other birds of prey, play a vital role in the winery’s sustainable farming practices. The local hawks and kestrels keep the population of vine-damaging gophers naturally under control so no rodent poisons are ever needed, keeping the vines and soils healthy.

The wine is 100% Chardonnay, whole-cluster pressed and fermented with wild yeast in individual barrels (75% oak, 25% stainless steel). No malolactic fermentation is allowed. Aging is 14 months in 75% new French oak barrels (Allier, Vosges) and 25% in stainless steel barrels.