Potter Valley, just north of Sonoma, has cooler nights and a climate closer to the northern European home of this noble grape variety.
The wine, made from grapes from McFadden Vineyard, which has been growing organically in Mendocino for a long time, has a wonderful balance of elegant, clear acidity and a slight sweetness.
One of California's finest Rieslings.
The chateau, built in Calistoga, north of Napa, in the 1800s, still exudes elegance today.
In 1976, in the legendary France vs. California showdown, it won the Chardonnay category, sending shock waves around the world and marking a turning point in spreading the name of Napa around the world.
The renowned winemaker Beau Barrett is also known as the husband of Heidi Barrett, a renowned cult winemaker.
Today, his Cabernets are also highly regarded by wine enthusiasts around the world.
The chateau's own vineyard, Montelena Estate, happens to use rootstock that is resistant to phylloxera, allowing the vines to age without being damaged. Visitors to the chateau are captivated by the landscape of rows of old vines without irrigation, along with the elegant stone mansion and magnificent gardens.