Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay is a wine that bears the elegant imprint of its vineyard home - 68 acres that roll across the pastoral hill country of Los Carneros, a place where Napa Valley meets the northernmost rim of San Francisco Bay. The vineyard is named to honour the Red-shouldered Hawks and other birds of prey that play a vital role in their sustainable farming practices (in this case keeping gopher and other rodent populations naturally under control).

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 15 months to add a creamy richness to the wine and yet since it undergoes no malolactic fermentation this Chardonnay retains a lively natural acidity.

"The 2021 fills the glass with radiant, elegant aromas and flavours of melon, honeysuckle, apricot, pineapple, and flint all held together with lithe structure, pitch-perfect balance, and energy that comes from pure, elegant acidity."
Shafer winemaker Elias Fernandez

"Always an impressive bottling, the 2021 Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch was barrel fermented in a 75% new French oak and 25% stainless steel. Boasting fabulous aromas of lemon curd, apple, pear and pencil shavings, this non-malolactic Chardonnay is full-bodied, round and generous on the palate, then crisp and refreshing on the finish. If it's not as complex or rich as the very best Chardonnays California has to offer, it's not that far behind, and the pricing and availability (6000 cases produced) remain reasonable for a wine of this quality. Drink to 2030. 93 points."
Joe Czerwinski, The Wine Advocate, (March 2023)