McManis Family Vineyards River Junction Chardonnay

What a classy wine, naturally aged in oak, as it's clearly evident, earning a whopping 93 points from Wine Orbit! It's been a hit in our collection for years. The characteristics of this Californian Chardonnay are soft, round, and very creamy—an absolute must-have for anyone who enjoys a full-bodied Chardonnay. The vineyards are located in San Joaquin County, south of Sacremento, where McManis benefits from the cool influences of the Stanislaus River.

The innovative family business McManis

The McManis family has been growing grapes in California's northern interior for five generations. Founded in 1990, the winery currently boasts 2,700 acres of premium grape varieties. Known for their sustainable viticultural practices, the winery has earned the "Green Winery" certification for all ten of its vineyards. All white grape varieties are harvested at night during cool nighttime temperatures, ensuring the grapes arrive cool at the estate. With an eye to the future, the family continually invests in the latest equipment and agricultural advancements.

Wood aging for the McManis Chardonnay

The grapes come from the River Junction vineyard, where they benefit from the cool air and sandy loam soil. This makes this vineyard unique and ideally suited for growing premium-quality grapes. The grapes are harvested by hand, crushed, and immediately pressed for juice. After a day, the juice is transferred to stainless steel vats for cold fermentation. Maturation then takes place in new and used French and American oak barrels. The aroma reveals hints of peach, pear, and abundant tropical fruit aromas with a hint of vanilla. This McManis Chardonnay is a rich, creamy wine with a long finish. On the palate, we discovered notes of oak, vanilla, yellow cream, peaches, apricots, roasted popcorn, and a hint of melon. In short, a truly top-class wine!