Chardonnay at Polynesian Girl Winery
Two Chardonnays, two different styles — one for the weeknight table, one for the occasion. Both made with a light hand on oak and an emphasis on the fruit.
Chardonnay gets argued about more than any other white in California. Heavy-oak buttery versus steely cool-climate — those are the two stereotypes, and neither one is what we make. We aim somewhere in the middle: enough oak to round the edges, not so much that you can't taste the grape. A Chardonnay you can pair with a grilled fish without flinching.
The standard Chardonnay sources from California growers whose sites and farming we trust. Cool fermentation, partial malolactic, modest oak time. Clean apple and citrus, a touch of vanilla on the back end.
The Carneros Reserve Chardonnay comes from a cooler-climate Carneros block we've worked with for several vintages. More structure, more weight, a longer finish. Barrel-fermented in a careful mix of new and neutral French oak.
Both are poured at the tasting room and available at the main store.
Currently available
Balanced, approachable. Apple, citrus, modest oak.
Drinking well through 2027.
Buy or learn moreCooler-climate Carneros fruit. More structure, longer finish, careful oak integration.
Cellar-worthy 5–7 years; beautiful now.
Buy or learn moreWhat to pour it with
- Grilled halibut or salmon
- Roast chicken with lemon and herbs
- Creamy pasta — carbonara, alfredo with shrimp
- Soft cheeses — Brie, triple-cream
- Dungeness crab or lobster
Taste it at the tasting room
Polynesian Girl Winery, 6020 Grizzly Flat Rd, Somerset CA. Open Friday 1–5 PM, Saturday and Sunday 11–5 PM.
Plan your visitFrequently asked
- Is Polynesian Girl's Chardonnay estate-grown?
- No. Our Chardonnays are made from California fruit we source — one from a trusted grower for the standard bottling, one from a specific Carneros block for the Reserve. All winemaking happens at our Somerset cellar.
- How oaky is your Chardonnay?
- Balanced. We use restrained oak on both bottlings — enough to round the edges, not enough to overshadow the fruit. The Reserve sees more barrel time than the standard.
- What's the difference between the two Chardonnays?
- The standard is approachable, everyday California Chardonnay — apple and citrus, modest oak. The Carneros Reserve is structured, with cooler-climate acid and a longer barrel program for a fuller finish.
- Which vintages are available?
- The 2019 Chardonnay and the 2019 Carneros Reserve Chardonnay. Both at the Somerset tasting room and at polynesiangirlwine.com.
- Where can I taste the Chardonnay?
- At the Polynesian Girl Tasting Room: 6020 Grizzly Flat Rd, Somerset CA. Open Friday 1–5 PM, Saturday and Sunday 11–5 PM.