10/01/2026
95 Points – 2024 Déanta le Grá Chardonnay, Petaluma Gap
“Crushed stones, lemon zest, sapid minerality, and pristine citrus define the w**e aromatically and structurally. More Chablis-inspired in feel, it prioritizes precision over weight while remaining salty, fresh, and energetic without becoming austere. A gorgeous w**e and a clear step up among the whites here, drink it over the coming 15 years or more.”
Thank you Audrey Frick of Jeb Dunnuck for the thoughtful review and feedback!
“Déanta le Grá” is Irish for “made with love” and when it comes to this w**e, we mean it.
We love Chardonnay, particularly Chardonnay made in a brighter, refreshing style with verve and tension, and without heavy-handed bâtonnage, ripeness, or new French Oak. Instead, we harvest at low pH, very high natural acidity, and between 12-13% abv to capture the citrus-driven expression. We ferment in mostly neutral French Oak, do not stir, and age the w**e in barrel for 10 months followed by 6 months in stainless steel (a practice we have employed since our first Chardonnay in 2018). The aging in wood allows the w**e to soften and develop, the aging in steel tightens it and brings it back into focus.
Formerly known as “WestPet”, this w**e always encompasses our best barrels from our best westerly sites that lie closest to the Pacific in the far reaches of the western Petaluma Gap. In this w**e, it comprises 63% Nicasio Valley Vineyard and 37% Antonio Mountain Vineyard. Both sites are organically-farmed by hand, very low yielding, and planted on rocky hillsides that provide ample drainage and good stress on the vines.
We are proud of this milestone, and we can’t wait to share a glass with friends new and old in our Sonoma tasting room and beyond.
Just five barrels produced. Available now on darlingw**es.com. Order via the link in our bio.
Questions or need help with your order? Don’t hesitate to DM us or email hello@darlingw**es.com
