The Wonderland Project 'The White Queen' Chardonnay, Sonoma County, California

Emerging from the fog-kissed vineyards of Sonoma’s coastal hills, the 2022 The Wonderland Project 'The White Queen' Chardonnay, Sonoma County, USA delivers a fresh and vibrant expression of California Chardonnay. With a focus on purity, balance, and minimal intervention, this bottling captures the cool-climate elegance of Sonoma’s finest sustainably farmed sites.

Product Details:

• Wine: The White Queen Chardonnay
• Producer: The Wonderland Project
• Owner: Matt Ahern
• Winemaker: Matt Ahern
• Region: Sonoma County, USA
• Vintage: 2022
• Grape Variety: 100% Chardonnay
• Alcohol Content: 12.6% ABV
• Appellation: Sonoma Coast
• Vineyard Sources: 70% Hicks Vineyard, 30% Kiser Vineyard
• Vineyard Details:
  • Hicks Vineyard (Robert Young clone, Manzanita series gravely fine-loam soils, planted 1990)
  • Kiser Vineyard (Old Wente & Dijon clones, Zamora and Huichica soils, planted 1970s-1980s)
• Farming Practices: Sustainably farmed, herbicide-free
• Harvest Dates: August 25 & September 5, 2022
• Vinification: Whole cluster pressed, 48-hour cold settling, stainless steel fermentation (21 days)
• Malolactic Fermentation: Partial
• Aging: 100% stainless steel for 5 months
• Production: 700 cases

Sensory Description:

This Chardonnay opens with beautifully lifted aromas of Meyer lemon, crisp green apple, and white peach, laced with hints of honeysuckle and wet stone. On the palate, flavors of citrus zest, pear, and golden melon mingle with delicate notes of hazelnut and light creaminess from partial malolactic fermentation. The wine's bright acidity and focused minerality create a vibrant, mouthwatering finish that is both refreshing and elegantly restrained.

Winemaker's Background:

The Wonderland Project was founded in 2010 by wine broker and former sommelier Matt Ahern, who partnered with some of Sonoma’s top growers to bring organically farmed, site-driven wines to life. Focused on native yeast fermentations and minimal intervention, Matt’s approach honors the natural beauty of California’s vineyards. Working with trusted family vineyards in Carneros and Sonoma Coast, The Wonderland Project showcases the region’s vibrant expression of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, capturing the balance between freshness, texture, and pure fruit character that defines modern California winemaking.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve well-chilled at 10–12°C (50–54°F) in a Burgundy glass to showcase its bright aromatics and crisp precision. This Chardonnay pairs beautifully with seared halibut, grilled shrimp skewers, lemon herb roasted chicken, or Dungeness crab. For vegetarian dishes, try it with spring pea risotto or grilled asparagus with shaved parmesan. Soft-ripened cheeses like Brie, Camembert, or Humboldt Fog enhance the wine’s vibrant acidity and subtle creaminess, making it ideal for both casual entertaining and elegant dining.

The 2022 The Wonderland Project 'The White Queen' Chardonnay, Sonoma County, USA delivers a fresh, precise, and beautifully balanced interpretation of Sonoma Coast Chardonnay, capturing both the purity of fruit and the clarity of its coastal terroir.