2021 Freemark Abbey Napa Chardonnay

Its Origins

The genesis of Freemark Abbey dates back to 1881 when Josephine and John Tychson purchased 147 acres in the Napa Valley. Five years later, after John’s death, Josephine built her original redwood winery on our current site in St. Helena. In addition to her legacy of innovation and hard work, Josephine earned a place in the history books as the first female vintner in California. Eight decades later, Freemark Abbey helped launch the modern era of California wine. In the 1960s and early 1970s, the winery’s Bosché Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon was considered one of America’s most iconic bottlings. Its Chardonnay proved that California could produce stunning world-class wines from this noble variety. Freemark Abbey was one of 12 American wineries chosen to compete in the historic Judgment of Paris tasting in 1976. It was the only producer with entries in both the Cabernet and Chardonnay flights. Ted Edwards has been Freemark Abbey’s winemaker since 1985. His intelligent approach combined with the sheer length of his experience in the Napa Valley – the Rutherford Bench in particular – makes him one of the region’s leading vintners. Today, thanks to Ted’s efforts, Freemark Abbey’s Bosché and Sycamore Vineyard bottlings are among the most coveted wines in the Napa Valley.