2015 Kistler Chardonnay Hyde Vineyard

ETA JULY 2026
Vintage: 2015
Region: Napa Valley
Country: USA
Winemaker Notes
The concept of terroir, that unique contribution of a given site, has become a much-discussed vinous topic these days, sometimes frivolously so, but it is the specific expression of terroir that very much informs each of Kistler's Chardonnays insofar as all are, in fact, subject to the same winemaking regimen and the differences among them are those born of where they were grown. This deeply draughted effort from the Hyde Vineyard gets our vote as being the best of an altogether extraordinary bunch in 2015 by dint of its intensity, its impeccable balance and its sheer fruity strength. It is a wine of remarkable richness and range that, while complete and compelling now, will only grow more complex over time, and we feel safe in predicting that those willing to hide a few bottles away until it reaches its tenth anniversary are sure to be pleased that they did.
About Winery
Kistler Vineyards is a wine producer in northern California's Sonoma County. Its considerable reputation is thanks largely to its robust, buttery Chardonnay wines, which have established Kistler as a cult winery since the 1980s.
The company was founded in 1978 by Steve Kistler and remains a family-owned and operated winery. It is a relatively small producer, making just 35,000 cases annually, much of which is sold through its significant mailing list.
Kistler's focus is the Burgundy varieties, making 10 vineyard-designated Chardonnay wines and four designated Pinot Noir wines. The fruit comes from three AVAs within Sonoma: Sonoma Coast, Sonoma Mountain and Carneros (which overlaps with the Napa Valley AVA).
Kistler is seen as one of the pioneers of the buttery, fruit-driven Chardonnays that have come to be closely associated with California. In the winery, the use of small, new-oak barriques and malolactic fermentation have been used over the years to achieve this style of wine.
Recent trends have seen a move away from this style, however, and Kistler is beginning to experiment with making more restrained styles of the variety.
Winemaker Notes
The concept of terroir, that unique contribution of a given site, has become a much-discussed vinous topic these days, sometimes frivolously so, but it is the specific expression of terroir that very much informs each of Kistler's Chardonnays insofar as all are, in fact, subject to the same winemaking regimen and the differences among them are those born of where they were grown. This deeply draughted effort from the Hyde Vineyard gets our vote as being the best of an altogether extraordinary bunch in 2015 by dint of its intensity, its impeccable balance and its sheer fruity strength. It is a wine of remarkable richness and range that, while complete and compelling now, will only grow more complex over time, and we feel safe in predicting that those willing to hide a few bottles away until it reaches its tenth anniversary are sure to be pleased that they did.
About Winery
Kistler Vineyards is a wine producer in northern California's Sonoma County. Its considerable reputation is thanks largely to its robust, buttery Chardonnay wines, which have established Kistler as a cult winery since the 1980s.
The company was founded in 1978 by Steve Kistler and remains a family-owned and operated winery. It is a relatively small producer, making just 35,000 cases annually, much of which is sold through its significant mailing list.
Kistler's focus is the Burgundy varieties, making 10 vineyard-designated Chardonnay wines and four designated Pinot Noir wines. The fruit comes from three AVAs within Sonoma: Sonoma Coast, Sonoma Mountain and Carneros (which overlaps with the Napa Valley AVA).
Kistler is seen as one of the pioneers of the buttery, fruit-driven Chardonnays that have come to be closely associated with California. In the winery, the use of small, new-oak barriques and malolactic fermentation have been used over the years to achieve this style of wine.
Recent trends have seen a move away from this style, however, and Kistler is beginning to experiment with making more rest

