2019 Charles Krug Chardonnay

Charles Krug

The winery dates back to 1861, when it was founded by Charles Krug, a Prussian immigrant, teacher, revolutionary, and visionary. Charles was extremely innovative. In fact, he introduced the cider press for winemaking, and carefully selected rootstocks, varieties, and vineyard sites—all concepts unheard of in his time. After his death, the winery was held in proprietorship through Prohibition. Italian immigrants (and parents to Peter Sr. and Robert) Cesare and Rosa Mondavi purchased the winery in 1943 and rebuilt it to accommodate modern winemaking.

Today, Charles Krug Winery owns 850 prime Napa Valley acres from Carneros to Howell Mountain, 500 of which are planted to vineyards and sustainably farmed. “We are blessed with exceptional properties and healthy vineyards,” Co-proprietor Peter Mondavi, Jr. says. “Our wines are evolving to take advantage of the great clones and vineyard management that we have.”

In the spring of 2011, Winemaker Stacy Clark joined the Charles Krug Winery team. “Stacy shares the winegrowing philosophy and style of our family and that is why she is such a wonderful addition to the team,” Peter says. “We strive for balance in the fruit, oak and tannins: wines that are quintessential in character representing Napa Valley and the variety; wines that have a strong sense of place and origin. Our wines are classically restrained and, at times, have hints of old-world provenance.”

In late 2013, Charles Krug Winery opened its newly transformed and renovated historic Redwood Cellar Tasting Room and Hospitality Center. Originally built in 1872, the stunning space is a Registered National Historic Landmark. Yet, just like the winery, there’s newness about it. Designed by renowned architect Howard Backen, the renovation honors the winery’s noble heritage with historic reclaimed clear heart old-growth redwood from the family’s original storage tanks, pine structural beams, and stone walls which together lend the handsome, contemporary—yet timeless—space an authentic, natural ambience.