Ceritas Charles Heintz Vineyard Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast, USA 2023

Ceritas is a small, highly regarded California winery founded in 2005 by winemaker John Raytek and his wife Phoebe Bass, focused on producing terroir-driven Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from cool coastal sites like the Sonoma Coast and Santa Cruz Mountains. The philosophy is deeply rooted in minimal intervention and organic/biodynamic farming, with native fermentations and restrained oak to let each vineyard speak clearly. Known for their precision, minerality, and “Burgundian” sensibility, Ceritas wines are produced in tiny quantities and have become a cult favorite among sommeliers and collectors seeking purity, tension, and site expression.

"A shade deeper but still a brilliant yellow/straw hue, the 2023 Chardonnay Charles Heintz reveals notes of fresh pineapples, wet stones, fresh flowers, and citrus oils. Full-bodied, it saturates the palate with an opulent, silky texture, though it remains focused, its intense clarity balanced with mouthwatering salinity and a long finish. It’s both approachable now but has the ability to age over the coming 15 years." Wine Advocate 98