White wines shine at Chalk Hill Estate Vineyards

It’s hard to choose which Chardonnay at Chalk Hill is the best. (Image: Kathryn Reed)

While I had heard of Chalk Hill wines, I had never been to the winery. And now I know why. It’s a bit off the beaten path.

Chalk Hill is more than a winery, it’s a region. It is one of 19 American Viticulture Areas in Sonoma County.

Sonoma County tourism agency’s website says, “Chalk Hill is named for the chalky white ash— more specifically, quartzite-rich volcanic tuff—that characterizes its soils. Though Chalk Hill AVA is a sub-appellation of the Russian River Valley AVA, it’s somewhat warmer, with less cool fog and more moderating breezes.”

One reason Sue and I opted to visit Chalk Hill Estate Vineyards & Winery is that we were both running low on white wine. Chardonnays are one varietal this winery is known for. The other reason to visit is the winery is part of the Foley family, of which she is a wine club member.

We were more than pleased with the selection of whites we were offered. And for those who prefer red, don’t worry, Chalk Hill has you covered.

It’s a gorgeous view from the deck at Chalk Hill winery. (Image: Kathryn Reed)

The setting is sublime. It’s like being in a basin of sorts, with vineyards climbing the hillsides.

“On a spring day in 1972, while piloting his plane over the Russian River, Chalk Hill’s founder, Fred Furth, caught his first view of a natural amphitheater carved into the hills of eastern Sonoma,” the winery’s website says. “His intuition told him the land had the potential to support a world-class vineyard. A subsequent tour confirmed that the spectacular property indeed had the climate and soils to grow luxury-class wine grapes.”

Bill Foley has owned the winery since 2010.

Today, of the 1,300 acres Chalk Hill owns, 300 are planted with grapes.

While it’s possible to buy Chalk Hill wines in grocery stores, some bottles are only available at the winery. This makes a trip there even more worthwhile.