Zachys Cellar School: Chardonnay Showdown

Few grape varieties have suffered more from stereotype than Chardonnay. Too often, we reduce it to "oaky" or "buttery," forgetting that Chardonnay is perhaps the greatest translator of place in the wine world. In this comparative tasting, we'll explore four benchmark regions, Sonoma, Chablis, the Côte de Beaune, and Margaret River, to understand how climate, geology, and winemaking shape dramatically different expressions of the same grape.

If you've ever wondered why one Chardonnay tastes like crushed oyster shells while another recalls toasted hazelnuts and cream, this class is for you.

Attendees will receive 10% off their same-day purchase in-store. Valid on full price, in-stock items only.

Classes will be hosted by Davis Steller, who has worked with wine from the vineyard to the cellar to the dining room. He's farmed at California estates including Mayacamas, Oakville Ranch, and Laurel Glen; made wine at Diamond Creek and Aubert in Napa, as well as in Umbria; and worked as a sommelier at Blue Hill. That range gives him a considered perspective on wine — from how it's grown, to how it's made, to how it arrives, finally, in the glass.