Concannon Chardonnay
Irish roots since 1883, California Chardonnay done honestly.
The story behind Concannon
James Concannon, an Irish immigrant, planted Concannon Vineyard in the Livermore Valley in 1883. The estate stayed open through Prohibition on a government contract for sacramental altar wine, which is the least romantic and most practical reason a winery survives. The Lemmons family later took ownership of the estate.
The Chardonnay side of the house runs on cool-climate fruit, night harvested to hold acidity, bladder pressed, then barrel fermented and aged sur lie in medium-toast American oak. Half the volume goes through malolactic fermentation, so you get green apple on one shoulder and lemon custard on the other. We have poured these for decades.
Explore the Concannon range
Two tiers matter here: the Monterey County bottling at an everyday price and the Livermore Valley Chardonnay for a step up in oak and texture.
| Expression | Type | Proof / ABV | Tasting notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concannon Chardonnay 750mL | Monterey County Chardonnay | 13.5% to 14.1% ABV by vintage | Green apple, lemon custard, toasted vanilla, medium oak |
| Concannon Livermore Chard 750mL | Livermore Valley Chardonnay | 13.5% to 14.1% ABV by vintage | Riper orchard fruit, barrel spice, creamy mid palate |
| Concannon Pinot Grigio 750mL | White wine | Not stated on label | Crisp, light, the other white on the shelf |
| Concannon Merlot 750mL | Red wine | Not stated on label | Soft plum and cherry, easy weeknight red |
| Concannon Petite Sirah 750mL | Red wine | Not stated on label | Dark berry, firm tannin, built for grilled meat |
| Concannon Paso Robles Cab 750mL | Cabernet Sauvignon | Not stated on label | Blackcurrant, cedar, the house clone lineage |
WineConcannon - Livermore Chard 750mL$15.98Out of stock
SpiritConcannon - Irish Whiskey 750mL$21.99Out of stock
WineConcannon - Crimson & Cloves 750mL$15.98Out of stock
WineConcannon - Petite Sirah 750mL$13.99Out of stock
WineConcannon - Paso Robles Cab 750mL$14.99Out of stock
WineConcannon - Chardonnay 750mL$11.99Out of stock
WineConcannon - Merlot 750mL$7.99Out of stock
WineConcannon - Pinot Grigio 750mL$7.98Which Concannon is right for you?
Concannon Chardonnay 750mL sits at $11.99, and the Livermore Chard 750mL runs $15.98, so the jump from the Monterey bottling to the Livermore fruit costs you four dollars. Both are barrel fermented with partial malolactic, both land in that 13.5% to 14.1% ABV window depending on vintage, and both drink above their shelf tag. If you are buying Concannon Chardonnay online for a dinner party, take the Livermore. For a Tuesday roast chicken, the $11.99 bottle does the job without apology.
$11.99, barrel fermented, enough oak to stand up to herbs and pan drippings.
Estate grown fruit under a land conservation trust, $15.98, richer and creamier.
Bright acidity plus round texture handles Brie and Muenster without a fight.