On the mountainside of Quaker Run, where our most acclaimed reds are born, one white grape has claimed its place among the greats. The 2022 Quaker Run Chardonnay, recognized once again among the Top 100 Wines of the USA by James Suckling, with 95 points awarded to this vintage, stands as a benchmark for Virginia Chardonnay.

Crafted from a small block of our oldest vines, this wine reflects the precision and patience that define its making. The 2022 vintage reveals layered notes of lemon curd, white stone fruit, allspice, and starfruit, lifted by bright acidity and a subtle, textural depth born of extended lees contact.

“Such a complicated and fascinating nose of subtle flowers, ripe fruit and subtly sweet spices. The taut, vivid palate shows delicious flintiness, with savory lemon pith, hard pears and a hint of gunpowder in the finish. It’s coiled, with a serious mineral spine, and fabulously balances weight and bones.”

— James Suckling, 95 Points, Top 100 Wines of the USA (2025)

 

WINEMAKER NOTE

Taking cues from the vineyard, we farm this very small block of old vine Chardonnay with the intention of letting it shine as its own bottling. From dormant pruning through fermentation and aging, this wine has been crafted with a holistic approach—one rooted in precision in the vineyard and patience in the cellar. Fermented with ambient yeasts and made from perfectly ripe fruit, the Quaker Run Chardonnay underwent a slow fermentation lasting twelve months. It remained on its lees until December 2023, developing more texture and complexity while preserving the purity of vineyard expression.

IN THE VINEYARD

Early spring, we experienced few frost events, escaping significant fruit damage. Throughout spring and into summer, we saw typical showers, which thankfully cleared up around bloomtime, returning shortly after, resulting in a bit more of a rainy season than we experienced in 2021. As the season progressed, we saw greater variability in rainfall depending on site, throughout the state. The late season rains, leading to harvest were also accompanied by notable drying, and at times, significant diurnal shifts, which allowed for balanced vineyards to fully ripen prior to seeing the remnants of Hurricane Ian.

AGING

12 months on lees in 500L barrels with light and medium toasts, and an additional 4 months on the lees in stainless steel, totaling 16 months of lees aging. This wine is young and vibrant now, but with proper cellaring, will drink well for five to ten years.

As we bring our 2025 harvest to a close, we raise a glass to what is possible and celebrate the release of the 2022 Quaker Run Chardonnay. Shop now.