Marimar Estate’s La Masía Chardonnay has depth and balance. It comes from a family whose winemaking history stretches back centuries in Spain, yet the wine is firmly rooted in Marimar Torres’ vision for the cool western Russian River Valley. Chardonnay has been central to that vision from the beginning, and the 2024 shows why. It begins at Don Miguel Vineyard in Green Valley, one of the coolest corners of the Russian River Valley. Goldridge sandy loam, southeast-facing slopes, and a cool Region 1 climate matter, but Marimar’s European-inspired planting is what distinguishes the site. At roughly 2,000 vines per acre, about four times the traditional California density, the vineyard was designed for lower yields and fruit with greater concentration and finesse. The cellar work is measured. Whole clusters are gently pressed before fermentation in French oak, followed by full malolactic fermentation and extended lees contact. The regimen builds texture and depth without obscuring the freshness that comes from Don Miguel Vineyard. At $38, La Masía delivers vineyard pedigree and thoughtful Chardonnay winemaking that usually come with a very different price tag.