In 1943, French wine lovers Fred and Eleanor McCrea purchased 168 acres on the slopes of Spring Mountain, and Stony Hill Vineyard was born. The property’s terroir, made of volcanic mountain soil with a limestone sub-layer and a northeast-facing hillside, enabled them to craft Burgundian-style Chardonnays. They released their inaugural vintage in 1952; it was so well-received that they became known as “America’s greatest white wine estate.”

In 2020 the Lawrence Family purchased the property. Under the watchful eye of managing partner Carlton McCoy Jr., Stony Hill has taken careful steps to preserve its legacy in Napa Valley, keeping the integrity of the land and winemaking style intact. The estate vineyards continue to be farmed organically and focus on sustainable vineyard cultivation. In addition to their own vineyard, they have relationships with some of the most esteemed growers in the Napa Valley who show the same dedication to organic farming practices and reverence for terroir.

Sourced from Quartz Creek Vineyard in Oak Knoll and Haynes Vineyard in Coombsville and aged for 10 months in 300L and 500L barrels (30% new), the 2024 Stony Hill "SHV" Chardonnay has aromas of pears, Golden Delicious apples, lime, and orange blossoms that follow on the palate. It was fermented on wild yeasts and underwent 30% malolactic fermentation, imparting depth and complexity without sacrificing elegance. This beautiful wine is enjoyable now but will continue to develop in your cellar for a decade.

PRESS

97 points, James Suckling:
"Aromas of sliced citrus, wet stones, white flowers, beeswax, phosphorous, and flint. The palate shows a textural, mid-weighted mouthfeel and fine acidity that lead to a minerally, saline and nervy finish. This is a fine chardonnay with 30% malolactic fermentation. Drink or hold."

95 points, Decanter:
"The 2024 SHV Chardonnay uses fruit from Quartz Creek and Haynes vineyards, with blocked malolactic fermentation, and the result is aged 10 months in 30% new 300-liter and 500 liter barrels. The wine is really bright and energetic in 2024, with citrus fruit, apple orchard character, and toasty cedarwood notes. A crème brûlée character inches in, joined by reductive, flinty notes, with building tension on the medium- to full-bodied finish, ending with crisp lime notes balanced by orange oil."

94 points, Wine Spectator:
"There’s wonderful energy coiled at the center of this Chardonnay, with Meyer lemon, green apple, yuzu, lemon blossom, and lime sherbet notes. The structure is taut, with chalky minerality; fresh sea salt and a whiff of tarragon are propelled onto the finish, which shows a lasting impression of power and transparency. Drink now through 2037."