California has its share of legends. Some of them, like Ridge or Phelps, are iconic. But others became legends by defying expectations, like Stony Hill.

When Fred and Eleanor McCrea founded it, back during WWII,... Read More

California has its share of legends. Some of them, like Ridge or Phelps, are iconic. But others became legends by defying expectations, like Stony Hill.

When Fred and Eleanor McCrea founded it, back during WWII, it was one of only ten legal wineries in California. The McCrea's loved white Burgundy, so they planted Chardonnay (and some other random white grapes their advisors recommended for diversification). They use only very old oak barrels and avoid malolactic fermentation, so the wines are lean, bright, elegant: miles from the rich, buttery Chardonnay that became California's calling card.

They kept doing their thing over the decades, and new generations joined the family domaine. The wines were never typical but they always had a passionate cult following. And we've been lucky enough to have dinner with some of these passionate followers who shared bottles from the '70s and '80s. We can assure you this: the wines age.