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2019 Chardonnay ‘Vine Hill Vineyard’, Kistler Wine Republic

2019 Chardonnay ‘Vine Hill Vineyard’, Kistler

Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States

Golden Tension

Luxurious yet vividly fresh, Kistler’s 2019 Vine Hill Vineyard Chardonnay combines Californian generosity with a beautifully defined mineral character. White peach, ripe apple and preserved lemon unfold alongside jasmine, lime blossom and a delicate touch of mint. Beneath the fruit lie toasted brioche, subtle smoke and a savoury, almost maritime note, while gently honeyed citrus brings warmth and depth. It is an arresting combination of perfume, richness and precision.

The palate is expansive and finely textured, with layers of orchard fruit and lemon cream carried by vibrant acidity. Its concentration builds steadily, yet a salty, stony freshness keeps the finish poised and remarkably persistent. Bottle age offers the opportunity to explore the wine’s developing complexity, while its structure leaves room for further evolution. For lovers of exceptional Chardonnay, this is a compelling bottle for a special dinner, bringing both immediate pleasure and enough detail to linger over.

For when: The occasion calls for a white that commands just as much attention as the finest red.

Pairs with: Butter-poached lobster, roast turbot with beurre blanc, seared scallops with cauliflower purée, roast chicken with morels, crab and lemon risotto, or mature Comté.

Vine Hill surrounds Kistler’s winery just north of Graton in the Russian River Valley. Bottled separately since 1991, it is planted on an unusually sandy variation of the Goldridge soil series. The site produces one of the estate’s most distinctive Chardonnays, combining substantial texture with the freshness and mineral definition that give its richness such purpose.

The 2019 release is particularly generous, with ripe orchard and stone fruit supported by a firm underlying structure. Its rounded texture is balanced by the vineyard’s characteristic energy, making this a vintage that delivers both breadth and precision. Several years in bottle have brought it into a rewarding period for drinking, with further development possible under careful storage.

Whats in the bottle
100% Chardonnay

Notable Awards
98 points, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

£275.00 - £275.00
£275.00
£275.00 - £275.00
£275.00
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Founded in 1978 by Steve Kistler and Mark Bixler, Kistler helped establish California’s reputation for Chardonnay of exceptional distinction. Their ambition was to explore how individual vineyards could produce recognisably different wines, bringing a Burgundian sensitivity to place into a Californian setting. That focus remains central to the estate’s identity.

Kistler works with vineyards across the Russian River Valley, Sonoma Coast, Sonoma Valley and Carneros. Its Chardonnays share a heritage Californian selection whose parent material originated in Burgundy, allowing differences in soil and growing conditions to come clearly into focus. Vine Hill’s sandy Goldridge soils give it a particular combination of concentration, aromatic detail and lift.

President and winemaker Jason Kesner joined the cellar team in 2008, working alongside Steve Kistler before his retirement in 2017. Native yeast fermentation, carefully prepared French oak and minimal handling underpin the house style. The aim is to preserve the character of each vineyard while creating wines whose richness is balanced by freshness, structure and longevity.

Made entirely from Chardonnay grown at Vine Hill Vineyard in the Russian River Valley. The vineyard surrounds the winery near Graton and is planted on a particularly sandy subset of the Goldridge soil series. Kistler’s heritage Chardonnay selection is valued for its small berries, concentration and ability to retain natural acidity.

Fermentation takes place in French oak barrels using native yeasts, following Kistler’s established approach to its single-vineyard Chardonnays. The subterranean barrel cellars provide the setting for a patient fermentation and maturation process, with oak chosen to support the wine’s texture and complexity.

Kistler commissions barrels from French oak air-seasoned for three years before coopering. The wines are bottled without fining or filtration, preserving their texture and vineyard character. The 2019 Vine Hill combines the density for continued development with sufficient freshness to remain lively and engaging.

Alcohol: 14%. Recommended drinking window: 2026–2032.

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