BREA Central Coast Chardonnay, California

From the cool, coastal winds of California’s Central Coast comes the 2023 Brea Wine Co. Chardonnay, a wine shaped by record winter rains, a late-season harvest, and two organically farmed vineyards whose contrasting personalities merge into harmony. This vintage captures the freshness of ocean air, the warmth of late-September sun, and the precision of a winemaking duo who craft Chardonnay with restraint, energy, and purity.

Product Details:

• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Vineyards: 75% Wheeler Vineyard (Tres Pinos, planted 1974), 25% Kevin Olson Vineyard (Prunedale, planted 1999)
• Farming: Certified Organic (CCOF)
• Alcohol: 12.5%
• Production: 2,555 cases
• Yeast: Native
• Maturation: 7 months in neutral French oak
• Fermentation: Full malolactic fermentation
• Filtration: Cross-flow
• Total Sulfites: 35 ppm
• Soils: Wheeler, gravelly alluvial terrace; Olson, sandy, sandy loam
• Vine Age: 50 years (Wheeler), 25 years (Olson)
• Vegan: Yes
• Winemaker: Chris Brockway
• Owners: Chris Brockway & Tim Elenteny

Sensory Description:

This Chardonnay opens with lifted aromas of lemon zest, white peach, lime leaf, and crushed oyster shell. On the palate, it strikes a beautiful balance between silky mid-weight texture and driving acidity from the cool Kevin Olson Vineyard. Notes of Meyer lemon, green apple, and subtle ginger weave through a long, mineral-lined finish shaped by native fermentation and neutral oak aging. Fresh, bright, and subtly complex, it embodies the essence of pure coastal California in every sip.

Winemaker's Background:

BREA Wine Company is the collaboration of Chris Brockway of Broc Cellars and importer Tim Elenteny, united by a mission to craft terroir-driven wines from sustainably and organically farmed vineyards. Their approach centers on minimal intervention, native yeasts, and long-trusted grower relationships, producing wines that are both accessible and true to site. With a focus on California classic varietals, they create honest, transparent expressions meant to be enjoyed now or over the next few years.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve at 48–52°F for optimal brightness and texture. This Chardonnay pairs beautifully with lemon-roasted chicken, seared scallops, Dungeness crab, grilled artichokes, spring vegetable risotto, or a simple plate of goat cheese with fresh herbs. Its acidity and minerality make it especially versatile in pairing with seafood, poultry, and lighter vegetarian dishes.

Radiant, refreshing, and grounded in the character of two historic organic vineyards, the 2023 Brea Wine Co. Chardonnay offers a vibrant snapshot of California’s Central Coast, an elegant reminder of how expressive, pure, and quietly thrilling Chardonnay can be when crafted with intention.