Chardonnay is known as a winemaker's grape, because it can grow in many climates and it's easy to work with in the cellar. It allows a winemaker creative license to make it light and elegant, or full-bodied and buttery. Chardonnay can taste different, depending on where it grows and how it's made.

Chardonnay is a white grape variety that is widely planted around the world. It has an almost preternatural ability to both express the land in which it's grown and showcase the style of the winemaker.

The name “Chardonnay” has been linked to a village in the Mâcon region and is derived from Cardonnacum, which means “a place of chardons or thistles.” In California there are references to Chardonnay being grown in the late 1800s.

Chardonnay was believed to be first planted in Chablis by the Cistercians at Pontigny Abbey in the 12th century. Today, the Chardonnay made in the Chablis region is one of the "purest" expression of the varietal character of the grape due to the simplistic style of winemaking favored in this region.