Ritchie Vineyard Chardonnay
⏳ Drinking Window
2022 - 2027
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Pan-seared sea scallops, roasted chicken with tarragon butter, creamy lobster risotto
✨ Technical Specifications
The Bevan Cellars Ritchie Vineyard Chardonnay is a stunning testament to one of the Russian River Valley's most legendary heritage sites. Planted in 1972 by Kent Ritchie on a benchland overlooking the Russian River, this vineyard is celebrated for its ancient, gnarly Wente clone vines rooted in Goldridge sandy loam soils mixed with volcanic ash. Winemaker Russell Bevan coaxes incredible intensity from this fruit, utilizing native yeast fermentation and aging in select French oak barrels. The result is a Chardonnay of dramatic scale and breathtaking complexity, balancing the vineyard's signature vibrant, laser-like acidity with an opulent, multi-layered texture of lemon curd, white peach, and toasted brioche.
🍾 About the Producer
Founded in 2005 by acclaimed self-taught winemaker Russell Bevan and Victoria De Crescenzo, Bevan Cellars has established itself as one of California's most prestigious and high-scoring boutique producers. Based in Napa Valley, the winery sources fruit from meticulously selected, iconic vineyard sites spanning Napa and Sonoma, including coveted parcels in Oakville, Pritchard Hill, and Bennett Valley. Russell Bevan's winemaking philosophy centers on strict vineyard management, low yields, and gentle, non-interventional cellar techniques designed to capture maximum purity, opulence, and textural depth. Bevan Cellars is celebrated worldwide for its monumental, lavishly concentrated Cabernet Sauvignons and proprietary Bordeaux blends like Ontogeny, alongside profound single-vineyard Pinot Noirs, Syrahs, and Chardonnays.
🍇 Grape Varieties
Chardonnay