BEAU RIVAGE CELLARS Chenin Blanc 2022

Wine Region: USA, California

Grape:Chenin Blanc

Tasting notes: Expressive and generous, the 2022 shows ripe pear, quince, and citrus blossom with a touch of honey and wet stone. The palate balances richness and freshness, finishing long and mineral. Already approachable, with potential to age gracefully.

About the Winery: Beau Rivage Cellars is a small-production California winery dedicated to crafting classically balanced wines through traditional, artisanal techniques. Founded in 2017 by William Kelley and Frank Ingriselli, the estate focuses on organically farmed fruit capable of achieving full flavor at moderate alcohol levels. This pursuit led them to Clarksburg, where Chenin Blanc thrives along the banks of the Sacramento River. Though Clarksburg Chenin lies outside the mainstream of California wine, it is prized at Beau Rivage for its vivid, succulent character.

While Chenin Blanc’s historic home is the central Loire Valley, the winemaking at Beau Rivage draws inspiration from Burgundian traditions. Grapes are hand-harvested and carefully sorted, then pressed, fermented, and aged in seasoned barrels and demi-muids from some of France’s finest coopers. The estate’s philosophy has been shaped by conversations with visionaries such as Jean-François Coche and Klaus-Peter Keller, and, closer to home, by the insights of Sandlands’ Tegan Passalacqua and most importantly Kalin Cellars’ Terry Leighton, whose influence has decisively guided both the style of wine they strive to produce and the way they craft it.