At home in the Russian River Valley since 1977, Merry Edwards has explored its hills, pockets, slopes and hollows, discovering small sites where choosing the right rootstock, clone and farming techniques can produce exceptional grapes. This led her in 1996 to purchase land in the Sebastopol Hills region of Russian River Valley.

The Olivet Lane Vineyard, planted in 1975 exclusively to Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, produces grapes coveted by the finest winemakers in Sonoma County. Since 1997, it has been our honor and pleasure to make wines from a vineyard that can be counted on to produce fruit of the highest quality and to our exacting standards. The 2019 Olivet Lane Chardonnay is an outstanding example of the Pellegrini Family’s commitment to excellence, and our beautiful new label is a perfect reflection of what is contained inside the bottle.

This wine always ferments at a leisurely pace. It spends a full nine months aging in French oak with lees-stirring done twice weekly. This progression builds upon the underlying fruit concentration, producing wines of stunning complexity.

This golden, straw-colored wine glistens in the glass as the vibrant, aromatic nose offers notes of Meyer lemon curd, golden delicious apple, white peach, pineapple, crème brûlée and toasted hazelnuts. A rich and round mouth-feel on entry is supported by perfectly balanced acidity. A touch of lime and other citrusy notes linger on the finish.

Attentive vineyard management in 2019 led these grapes to reach optimal ripeness at a much earlier point in the season. Timing was spot on. Crop load was reduced to be in perfect balance with the canopy, and the grapes held on to their acid quite well. The 2019 vintage truly illustrates the quality that this vineyard is capable of producing.

Dungeness crab dip makes a sumptuous appetizer pairing with this rich Chardonnay.