House of Brown Chardonnay 2022

Pouring a bright canary yellow with a subtle flax-rim, this Chardonnay offers aromas of night-blooming jasmine, tropical guava, starfruit, lychee, and key lime, layered with stone fruit undertones. On the palate it is juicy and zesty, blending a silky, creamy texture with crisp acidity. You’ll notice honeydew melon, saline and limestone dust impressions mingling with the creaminess, giving a satisfying contrast of brightness and richness. The Chenin Blanc component adds a little lift and freshness. Medium body, lingering finish. It strikes a pleasing balance—fresh and drinkable now but with enough structure to reward careful pouring. There’s no oak overtone, which lets fruit, minerality, and texture speak clearly.

This crisp, fruit-forward Chardonnay is a natural match for seafood—think oysters on the half shell, clams, or crab cakes, where the wine’s saline edge highlights the brininess of the dish. It also shines with buttery favorites like lobster rolls or shrimp in lemon butter sauce, where the creamy texture meets bright citrus notes. Roast chicken with fresh herbs, light creamy pastas such as fettuccine Alfredo, and soft cheeses like Brie or Camembert all pair beautifully, letting the wine’s stone-fruit character and lively acidity take center stage. Even simple vegetable dishes—grilled zucchini, asparagus, or roasted cauliflower—become more vibrant alongside a chilled glass.

House of Brown is a brand under the Brown Estate umbrella, which is known as Napa Valley’s first Black-owned estate winery. The Brown family—parents Dr. Bassett and Marcela Brown—purchased land in Napa in 1980, rehabilitated an old ranch, and began farming grapes, mostly for sale to others. In 1995 their children—Deneen, David, and Coral—launched Brown Estate and released its first Zinfandel vintage in 1996. Brown Estate has always emphasized sustainable farming, family ownership, and high quality. The House of Brown label was then introduced later to offer more accessible wines, retaining the values of inclusivity, sustainable and vegan-friendly production, and appealing branding. Its aim is lighter, palate-friendly wines at a lower price point than the core estate wines, while still showcasing care in grape sourcing and winemaking.

The 2022 Chardonnay from House of Brown is sourced from Lodi, California—specifically the Cosumnes River appellation. The vineyard sources practice regenerative, sustainable farming, and the wine is certified sustainable and vegan-friendly. The winemaking for this Chardonnay is 85% Chardonnay and 15% Chenin Blanc; it is fermented completely in stainless steel and aged sur lie (on the lees) for three months. These choices give freshness, brightness, and a creamy texture without heavy oak weight, preserving crisp fruit and minerality.

The region of Lodi, especially Cosumnes River, is known for its warm days and cooling influences (often from rivers), which help maintain acidity in white wines while allowing fruit ripeness. Over recent decades Lodi has gained recognition for value Chardonnays that balance texture, fruit, and freshness. House of Brown’s 2022 fits into that growing movement of wines that are approachable, sustainably made, expressive, and meant for more inclusive wine culture. It’s a modern white wine crafted with both nuance and drinkability in mind.