Sea Smoke Chardonnay Santa Rita Hills 2022 750ml

Whether you’re simply a fan of the movie Sideways, or you’re a fanatic for the mineral-driven, salinity of the Sta. Rita Hills style of Chardonnay, there’s always a good reason to open a bottle of Sea Smoke.

Sea Smoke’s property overlooking the Pacific Ocean is one of Southern California’s true “grand cru” vineyards, grown in diatomaceous soils both organically and bio-dynamically. There’s a reason the wines have achieved a true cult-like status (apart from Paul Giamatti’s character ordering a bottle for dinner in the film).

Pinot Noir has long been the calling card of Sea Smoke, even though those in the know realize their Chardonnay is even more precious—made from just a few tiny plots on the property. While the 2022 vintage has yet to be reviewed by major critics, a quick Google search will tell you everything you need to know: this wine is normally $100+ and it gets huge 90+ scores every single year.