Crisp, bright and fruity probably aren't the first words that come to mind when you think of Chardonnay. That changes once you pour a glass of unoaked Chardonnay. Skip the oak and the buttery richness, and you get a fresh, mineral-driven white that's closer to a Chablis from France's Burgundy region than to a typical Napa Valley Chardonnay.
What Is Unoaked Chardonnay?
Unoaked Chardonnay is fermented and aged without oak barrels, usually in stainless steel. Without oak, there are no vanilla, toast or baking-spice notes layered on top of the fruit. What you taste is the grape itself and the place it was grown.
Clif Family's Unoaked Chardonnay shows:
- Bright citrus
- Crisp green apple
- Ripe stone fruit
- A clean, mineral-driven finish
Unoaked vs. Oaked Chardonnay: What's the Difference?
There are two big differences: oak, and a winemaking step called malolactic fermentation. Malolactic fermentation converts tart malic acid into softer lactic acid, and it's what gives many oaked Chardonnays their rich, creamy texture and buttery flavor.
| Unoaked Chardonnay | Oaked Chardonnay | |
| Fermentation Vessel | Stainless Steel | Oak Barrels |
| Malolactiv Fermentation | No | Usually Yes |
| Texture | Crisp, Light | Rich, creamy |
| Flavors | Cirtus, green apple, stone fruit, minerality | Butter, vanilla, toast, baked fruit |
| Food Style | Fresh, light, vegetable-forward | Rich, creamy, roasted |
How Clif Family Makes Our Unoaked Chardonnay
It Starts in the Vineyard
For our winemaker Laura Barrett, Unoaked Chardonnay starts in the vineyard. The grapes come from our organically farmed Valle di Sotto estate vineyard in Napa Valley's Oak Knoll District AVA. The vineyard sits in the AVA's "sweet spot" in the southern part of the valley near San Pablo Bay. It's cooler there than in other parts of Napa, so the grapes ripen slowly and keep their bright acidity.
Unoaked Chardonnay vs. Chablis
If you love Chablis, you'll feel right at home with our Unoaked Chardonnay. Both wines share:
- A citrus backbone
- Signature minerality
- Easy, food-friendly character
Chablis tends to lean into flinty, steely notes. Ours has a touch more ripe fruit, thanks to the California sunshine.
Unoaked Chardonnay is the little black dress of white wines: it goes with everything and quietly steals the show. Our Executive Chef Magnus Young always finds a spot for it in the food and wine pairings at our St. Helena Tasting Room. Try it with:
- Soft cheeses like fresh chèvre or triple crèmes (see our guide to building a wine, cheese and jam board)
- Vegetable-forward dishes and fresh salads
- Lighter pastas with olive oil, lemon or herb sauces
- Grilled seafood, like our shrimp tacos with green apple salsa verde
Taste It in St. Helena
Stop by the Clif Family Tasting Room in downtown St. Helena and taste our Unoaked Chardonnay on the Seasonal Food and Wine Pairing Flight. You can also grab a glass on our sunny patio with a farm-fresh salad or seasonal side from the Clif Family Bruschetteria Food Truck.
Bring it Home with The Wine Drop
Your effortless, personalized wine membership starts here. Receive exclusive shipments of organically farmed, Napa Valley wines perfectly tailored to your tastes.
Want Unoaked Chardonnay on hand? Join The Wine Drop wine subscription and save on Unoaked Chardonnay and our other wines, including Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Rosé.
Unoaked Chardonnay FAQs
What does unoaked Chardonnay taste like?
It's crisp and bright, with citrus, green apple and stone fruit flavors and a clean, mineral finish. It has none of the butter or vanilla notes of oaked Chardonnay.
Is unoaked Chardonnay sweet?
No. Unoaked Chardonnay is a dry white wine. Its fruit-forward flavors can come across as ripe, but it isn't sweet.
Is unoaked Chardonnay the same as Chablis?
Chablis is unoaked or lightly oaked Chardonnay from a specific region in Burgundy, France. Clif Family's Unoaked Chardonnay is made in a similar style in Napa Valley, with a little more ripe fruit.
Should unoaked Chardonnay be served cold?
Yes. Serve it chilled to bring out its crisp acidity and fresh fruit.
What food goes with unoaked Chardonnay?
Soft cheeses, salads, vegetable dishes, light pastas and grilled seafood are all great matches.
