# Chalk Hill Wins 2026 American Winery of the Year

> Chalk Hill Estate, a Sonoma County winery, claimed the 2026 American Winery of the Year award for its mastery of California Chardonnay.
- Title: Chalk Hill Wins 2026 American Winery of the Year | Shortify
- Summary: Chalk Hill Estate, a Sonoma County winery, claimed the 2026 American Winery of the Year award for its mastery of California Chardonnay.
- Keywords: chalk hill, sonoma county, california chardonnay, american winery of the year, foley family wines, wine star awards, wine industry, sustainable winemaking, Wineenthusiast
- Source: Wineenthusiast — https://wineenthusiast.com/culture/industry-news/wine-star-awards/american-winery-2026
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: chalk hill, sonoma county, california chardonnay, american winery of the year, foley family wines, wine star awards, wine industry, sustainable winemaking
## Chalk Hill Wins 2026 Award
Chalk Hill Estate was named the 2026 American Winery of the Year for its impact on California Chardonnay.
## Fred Furth's Legacy
Fred Furth founded Chalk Hill in 1970, creating a 1,300-acre Sonoma County estate that became synonymous with California Chardonnay.
## Chalk Hill Appellation
The Chalk Hill appellation features cool, ash-rich soils that allow Chardonnay to ripen slowly for structured wines.
## Bill Foley's Acquisition
Bill Foley acquired Chalk Hill from Fred Furth in 2010, recognizing its potential for distinctive Chardonnay.
## Courtney Foley's Vision
Courtney Foley emphasizes the ecological balance of Chalk Hill, maintaining less than a third of the land planted to vine.
## Sustainable Practices
Chalk Hill Estate is certified sustainable, supporting diverse wildlife from insects to apex predators.
## Winemaking Traditions
Chalk Hill continues native fermentation and sur lie aging with weekly stirring since David Ramey's era.
## Winemaker Expertise
Winemaker Darrell Holbrook has worked at Chalk Hill since the 1990s, understanding vineyard nuances intimately.
## Chardonnay Focus
Chalk Hill specializes in Chardonnay, offering a range of styles from fresh to opulent for Chard lovers.
## Red Wine Offerings
Chalk Hill produces a smaller selection of red wines that perform well in Sonoma's climate.
## Award Significance
Chalk Hill is recognized as ground zero for California Chardonnay, a key industry milestone.
## Wine Star Awards
Chalk Hill won the 2026 American Winery of the Year award, highlighting its role in California Chardonnay.
## Key takeaway

Chalk Hill Estate won the 2026 American Winery of the Year award for elevating California Chardonnay through sustainable practices and consistent winemaking.