Each week, I highlight a wine that leaves a lasting impression—whether for its distinctive character, compelling story, or sheer drinking pleasure. This week’s standout: the 2022 Enfield Wine Co. Chardonnay Brousseau Vineyard. This week’s pick is especially exciting because I’m a huge fan of Enfield Wine Co.’s Chardonnays. They’re always fresh, beautifully textured, and bursting with flavor, consistently overdelivering for the price.

Enfield Wine Co

Enfield Wine Company  is Napa-based the family project of John Lockwood and Amy Seese that focuses on crafting wines that reflect their sense of place. Their approach prioritizes terroir, working with small vineyards and independent growers, allowing natural fermentation to express the character of the soil and vines

Lockwood’s journey into winemaking began in 2004 at Heron Lake Vineyard, where he trained under David Mahaffey. He went on to refine his craft through harvests with Ted Lemon at Littorai, Bodega Melipal in Argentina, and Ehren Jordan at Failla Wines, where he spent five years managing and farming Sonoma Coast and Russian River estate vineyards. In 2010, while still at Failla, he started Enfield Wine Co. as a passion project. By 2013, he took the leap, committing to Enfield full-time.

As Eric Asimov highlighted in The New York Times article The Art of Winemaking on the Cheap, Lockwood’s winemaking philisophy centers on crafting …fresh, intense, textured wines that are expressive at low levels of alcohol. 

Brousseau Vineyard

Nestled high in Monterey County’s Gabilan Mountains, against the striking backdrop of Pinnacles National Park, Brosseau Vineyard stands as a jewel of the remote Chalone AVA. Founded by Jan and Jon Brosseau, the vineyard was first planted to 17 acres of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in 1980. The vineyard acreage has gradually expanded and today, their son Bill Brousseau farms its 42 acres. In 2011, it became the first fully certified organically farmed vineyard in the Chalone AVA. Since 1995, they have been selling vineyard-designated fruit to prestigious wineries.

What sets Brosseau Vineyard apart is its extraordinary terroir. Planted on one of the world’s largest limestone and granite deposits, the vines thrive at a high elevation where morning sun quickly burns away the fog that lingers in the valley below. Extreme diurnal temperature swings—hot days giving way to cool, brisk nights—slow ripening and enhance the fruit’s complexity. These conditions yield Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah of remarkable depth, structure, and elegance.

If California had an official classification for ‘Grand Cru’ vineyards, Brosseau would undoubtedly earn its place among the elite.

2022 Enfield Wine Co. Chardonnay Brosseau Vineyard

Tasting note: Pale yellow color with enticing lemon zest, white peach, lemon blossom, honey, nutmeg and wet stone aromas. On the palate, it’s medium-bodied with shimmering acidity and mouth-filling flavors of white peach, Asian pear, lemon zest, honey and subtle baking spice. The wine’s signature wet stone minerality adds depth and tension, leading to a long, elegant finish.

13.2% abv| SRP – $38| 92 pts

Final Thoughts

The 2022 Enfield Wine Co. Chardonnay Brosseau Vineyard is a stunning example of what happens when a talented winemaker meets an exceptional vineyard. Lockwood’s meticulous, terroir-driven approach allows Brosseau’s remarkable site to shine through in every sip. For those who love fresh, textured, and vibrant Chardonnay—especially one that overdelivers for the price—this bottle is a must-try.

Would love to hear your thoughts—have you experienced the wines of Enfield or Brosseau Vineyard? Let’s talk in the comments!

You might also enjoy:

• Wine of the Week; 2018 Enfield Wine Co. Chardonnay Rorick Vineyard
• Wine of the Week: 2017 Enfield Wine Co. Haynes Vineyard Old Vine Chardonnay