Skip to Main Content

2018 J. Lohr Estates

Chardonnay

Riverstone

Currently sold out

  • Best Value

    Wine Spectator, January 2020

Kristen Barnhisel standing and smiling with arms crossed in front of wine barrels

The 2018 Riverstone Chardonnay exhibits youthful hues of light straw. The enticing aromas are reminiscent of white peach, apricot, ripe orange, and cocoa, and complemented by the palate flavors of citrus cream and nectarine. The rich texture and balance on the palate from aging sur lie gives way to flavors of vanilla, crème brûlée, and a touch of oak can be found on the long finish.

— Kristen Barnhisel, Winemaker, White Wine

Riverstone Chardonnay still with vineyard backdrop placeholder

Wine Details

Cellaring

5 years

Crafted to be enjoyed now or within five years of vintage.

Facts Sheet

For thirty vintages, a classic Monterey Chardonnay wine from the cool-climate Arroyo Seco appellation.

  • Origin

    Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, CA

  • Food Pairings

    This wine can be enjoyed with a variety of dishes, including Dijon tarragon chicken, roasted halibut,or moules marinière.

View Our Recipes

Composition Blend

  • 100%

    Chardonnay

Arroyo Seco AVA

Vineyard

The vines for our J. Lohr Estates Riverstone Chardonnay are grown primarily on Elder loam soils underlain by “riverstones” deposited over thousands of years by the Arroyo Seco River. These stones limit soil depth from one to four feet, although roots are found at greater depths. This unique combination of sandy loam and cobblestone soil keeps the vines’ vegetative growth and fruit in balance, while the cool climate and winds of the Salinas Valley extend the growing season - retaining the natural grape acids and intense varietal character of Chardonnay.

Vintage

The 2018 growing season was characterized by a cool spring in the Arroyo Seco. Cool, foggy mornings and evenings, with daytime highs in the 80s through the summer, provided optimum weather for ripening Chardonnay. The warm weather in September, along with the recurring afternoon winds, provided the slow ripening needed to maximize flavors and textures. The Chardonnay harvest began on October 4th, which was later than recent vintages. Our Riverstone Chardonnay is now comprised of nine Chardonnay clones - 4, 5, 17, 76, 95, 96, 548, 809 and Hyde-Wente, each bringing one component to the complexity of flavors, textures and acidities in the final blend.

Back to Wine List
Back to Wine List

You May Also Enjoy

A top down view of a bottle of J Lohr Riverstone Chardonnay next to spread of plates and fruit

Find us in Stores & Restaurants Near You

For almost fifty years, the Lohr family has been growing and crafting some of California's best-loved wines. We're proud to share our latest releases from our certified sustainable vineyards in Monterey, Paso Robles, and Napa Valley with you.

2 bottles of J Lohr wine on a picnic table

VIP Status: J. Lohr Club Membership

J. Lohr Wine Club Members are our True VIPs. Membership offers you priority access to reservations and winery-exclusive offerings.

Steve Peck taking a barrel sample from a bottle of wine
Riverbench Chardonnay being poured into glasses. Pasta dinner.

Sign up for our newsletter to receive our new J. Lohr Estates Riverstone Chardonnay recipe book featuring delicious fall recipes that pair perfectly with Riverstone food-friendly, easy style.

By clicking “Submit” you are opting-in to receive our newsletter and to obtain the financial incentive described above. See Notice of Financial Incentive to read more and learn how to withdraw.