SHAFER Chardonnay 'Red Shoulder Ranch' - Carneros 2025 Bottle CASE x 12 Bottles - PRE-RELEASE

Description

We are delighted to offer the latest releases from Shafer Vineyards.

Founded in 1978, Shafer Vineyards is situated in the Stags Leap District of Napa Valley, east of the Silverado Trail and just north of the town of Napa. Although their main focus has always been luxuriant, richly textured Cabernet Sauvignons from their Stags Leap vineyards, they own and farm vineyards also in Carneros.

Low fertility, hillside sites have always been a major priority, as has the adoption of the finest, low vigour rootstocks and clones, leading to extremely low yields of small intensely concentrated grapes. They are also passionate exponents of sustainable farming practices in which they eschew all forms of chemical sprays, and their vineyards teem with natural predators including bats, owls, and a variety of insects. The resulting raw materials are of the highest quality and provide them with numerous, stylistic options in the winery.

Winemaking, in the hands of Elias Fernandez, also follows a similar philosophy of allowing the fruit full expression and with a minimum of intervention.

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Shafer’s single-vineyard Carneros-grown Chardonnay is produced from small-clustered clones of grapes selected for their low yields and distinctive flavours. Fermentation takes place within individual oak and stainless steel barrels using native yeasts. The wine matures on the lees for 14 months and since it undergoes no malolactic fermentation this Chardonnay retains a lively natural acidity. The vineyard is named for its Red-shouldered Hawks and other birds of prey, who play an important role in Shafer’s sustainable farming practices.

Whole-cluster pressed and fermented with wild yeast in individual barrels (40% oak, 60% stainless steel); 0% malolactic fermentation.

“The long, cool 2025 growing season shines through in this vivid Chardonnay. Meyer lemon, white peach, and jasmine lead to a palate of crisp green apple and wet stone minerality. Slow, even ripening delivered full flavour at lower sugars, while racy acidity carries the wine to a long, mouthwatering finish of striking purity.” — Elias Fernandez, Winemaker

2025 GROWING SEASON
Ample winter rains set up an early March budbreak in Carneros, followed by one of the mildest seasons in recent memory — fog and bay breezes allowing long, gradual ripening. Flavours developed fully at lower sugars, yielding Chardonnay of bright acidity, concentration, and elegance: a vintage defined by balance.

Terms and Conditions

Offer - Subject to availability. Offer ends on 30th October 2026
Delivery – Early 2027
Prices - Include Freight, Duty & GST
Storage - On arrival into Jersey Free Storage until 30th April 2027
Payment - Goods will be invoiced on receipt of order. Payment as per our normal T&Cs.
Disclaimer - Prices of wine and spirits can go up or down. We are not liable for any losses incurred should any wine decrease in value from date of purchase.
E&OE - Errors & Omissions Excepted