Hess Collection Chardonnay
Napa Chardonnay from Mount Veeder, poured in Commack since the start.
The story behind Hess Collection
Donald Hess founded his Napa Valley winery in 1978 on the steep volcanic slopes of Mount Veeder, and he opened the old 1903 stone winery building to the public in 1989. The family still runs it, now under Sabrina and Tim Persson. We have carried Hess Collection Chardonnay through most of those years, and the wine has stayed recognizably itself.
The flagship Napa Valley Chardonnay comes largely from fog cooled estate sites like Su'skol Vineyard, with the aromatic musque clone in the blend. Seventy percent ferments in stainless steel, thirty percent in French oak, and only thirty percent goes through malolactic. Lees stirring for the first four months builds the texture. That split is why the wine tastes bright and creamy at once.
Explore the Hess Collection range
Two Chardonnays, two jobs. Shirtail is the Tuesday bottle, the Napa Valley is the one you open when someone is paying attention.
| Expression | Type | Proof / ABV | Tasting notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shirtail Chardonnay | Chardonnay, California | 13.5% ABV | Crisp pear and apple, light oak, easy drinking |
| Napa Valley Chardonnay | Chardonnay, Napa Valley | 14.0% to 14.4% ABV | Pear, citrus, French oak cream, stirred lees texture |
| Shirtail Sauvignon Blanc | Sauvignon Blanc, California | 13.5% ABV | Citrus and green melon, dry finish |
| Shirtail Cabernet Sauvignon | Cabernet, California | 13.5% ABV | Dark cherry, cocoa, soft tannin |
| Allomi Cabernet Sauvignon | Cabernet, Napa Valley | 14.2% to 14.5% ABV | Blackberry, cedar, structured Napa tannin |
WineHess Collection - Allomi Cabernet 750mL$34.99Out of stock
WineHess Collection - Napa Chardonnay 750mL$21.99Out of stock
WineHess Collection - Shirtail Cabernet 750mL$19.99Out of stock
WineHess Collection - Shirtail Chardonnay 750mL$12.99Out of stock
WineHess Collection - Shirtail Sauv Blanc 750mL$10.99Which Hess Collection is right for you?
The Shirtail Chardonnay runs $12.99, which is the kind of price that makes a case decision easy. Step up to the Hess Collection Napa Valley Chardonnay at $21.99 and you get the estate fruit, the musque clone, the French oak and the weekly lees stirring that earned it 90 to 92 points from Wine Enthusiast across recent vintages. The Shirtail Cabernet is $19.99, Allomi Cabernet is $34.99, and Shirtail Sauvignon Blanc is $10.99. Buy Hess Collection Chardonnay online or come taste before you commit.
$12.99, crisp and light on oak, built for a Tuesday dinner.
$21.99 buys estate fruit, French oak and a 90 point pedigree.
$34.99 for structured Napa Cabernet from the same Mount Veeder house.