National Wine Day is a day for wine enthusiasts to unite and celebrate with a glass of their favorite red or white wine. In California, Chardonnay wine became one of the most popular white wines to drink thanks to winemaker Miljenko ‘Mike’ Grgich from Napa Valley.

During the Judgement of Paris in 1976, between French and American red and white wines, a panel of blindfolded French winemakers, sommeliers and restauranteurs poured, swirled, sniffed, and sipped an array of popular white Burgundies of France and a small sampling of Chardonnays from the Napa Valley. When their scores were tallied, the French judges were shocked that a Chardonnay from California scored the highest total points. Grgich’s 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay soon became the finest white wine in the world. A bottle of his winning 1973 Chardonnay is on display in the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.

Grgich Hills Estate continues to make popular and accessible Napa Valley wines from their five estate vineyards. These wines are food-friendly, balanced and elegant.

Another California winning wine during the Judgement of Paris blind tasting was from Stag’s Leap Cellars Winery. Their 1973 S.L.V. Cabernet Sauvignon, scored the highest in red wines by French sommeliers and restaurant owners. This winning bottle is also on display in the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, as one of 101 artifacts proudly made in the United States.

Flying up to Napa to attend the release of the winery’s 2020 FAY and S.L.V. vintages, I learned that the vineyards are one of the oldest within the Stag’s Leap District in Napa Valley. Strolling among rows of grape vines, we stopped along the walk tasting a variety of their Cabernets. A highlight was a decadent 1987 S.L.V, Cabernet Sauvignon. The 100% estate grapes planted in the 1970s, is an ideal wine to open and share during a special occasion.

During an elegant lunch under majestic oak trees, guests received pours of Stag’s Leap Cellars 2021 ARCADIA Vineyard Chardonnay to pair with a Little Gem lettuce salad. This soft and elegant 100% Chardonnay wine fermented in minimum oak, had a balance of bright lemon, crisp apple and pleasing minerality. It’s an ideal lunch, brunch and summer evening wine to drink with a cheese board, watermelon salad with feta cheese and grilled salmon and vegetables.

Sonoma-Cutrer, has been crafting wines since 1981 in the esteemed Russian River Valley growing region of Sonoma County, California. This is the first wine region in the world to be 99% sustainable. As a leader in this initiative, Sonoma-Cutrer prioritizes protecting the environment in all viticultural and winemaking processes.

Their winemaking process, led by a female-driven team includes Chardonnay winemaker Cara Morrison. As the new Director of Winemaking, she is proudly the first female to be named to this esteemed position in the 40-plus-year history of the winery. Morrison brings a wealth of expertise having crafted Sonoma-Cutrer’s signature Burgundian-style Chardonnay since 2005. Their accessible Sonoma Coast 2021 Chardonnay retails $25 a bottle. This wine goes well with a summer pasta salad, turkey burgers with avocado and grilled chicken.

Napa Valley’s Sequoia Grove Winery is another winery recognized for its Chardonnays. Its famous 24-acre estate vineyard was once part of the original Rancho Caymus land grant. This land was given in 1836 to George Yount, the area’s first European-American pioneer. Over the years the property changed hands until it was purchased in 1978 by James and Barbara Allen.

This dynamic duo opened a winery in a 100-year-old barn beneath a grove of ancient Sequoia trees, naming their winery Sequoia Grove. Their 2021 Napa Valley Chardonnay is made from hand harvested grapes, that fermented in 100% French oak barrels, and aged for 10 months on the lees. This wine offers aromas of tropical pineapple, toasted almond, and brioche with a floral finish. On the palate, this Chardonnay offers hints of  apple and lemon curd, candied walnuts, and an intriguing minerality. It’s creamy with a luscious bright acidity on the finish. Enjoy with poached salmon, a Caesar salad, and fresh peach pie.

Next door to Sequoia Grove is Cakebread Cellars. Jack and Dolores Cakebread founded the winery in the early 1970s, and planted Chardonnay grapes. After harvesting, they made their first 157 cases of Cakebread Cellars Chardonnay. Today the winery continues to focus on winemaking and culinary excellence, plus sustainability. This year Cakebread Cellars is celebrating 50 years with special Chardonnay tastings. While attending the Classic Wine Tasting and informative walk, we visited four different areas of the winery for communal tasting lead by a Cakebread wine ambassador. The 45 minute experience enlightens visitors about the life of a working winery, while tasting a variety of red and white wines.

Recently they released their celebratory 50th Anniversary Chardonnay Collection. The box  features four bottles of unique 100% estate-grown wines for $300. Each reflects the clonal, climate and terroir of the vineyard from where the grapes were harvested.

As a tribute to founder, Jack Cakebread, each wine label features a different photograph taken by an Ansel Adams-trained photographer. These four Chardonnays are from vineyards in the Napa Carneros AVA, an appellation that creates classic Cakebread Cellars Chardonnays. They include Cuttings Wharf, Foster Road, Milton Road and Tinsley.

Josh Cellars features 10 varietals and a premium Reserve collection of wines. Joseph Carr founded the California-grown wine from inspiration by his father named Josh. Honoring his father, this Californian wine estate, produces a collection wines from grapes growing in a selection of vineyards in St Helena, Rutherford, Stags Leap District and Sonoma Coast. Tasting the  Josh Cellars Reserve North Coast Chardonnay, one appreciates notes of citrus, stone fruit and vanilla. It’s an approachable wine intended to be enjoyed with family and friends during celebrations, barbecue meals in the backyard or to bring to an outdoor concert. Pair with crudités and hummus, tinned fish, salads and grilled proteins.

Sonoma’s Crescere Wines just released their much-anticipated 2018 vintage, which includes two unique Chardonnays. Tasting the 2018 Proprietary Chardonnay from the Northeastern territory of the Russian River Valley, it offers aromas of melon and apple with a hint of baking spices. The full mouth feel offers an earthy turmeric and balanced acidity. Next, their Platt Vineyard Chardonnay 2018  is considered by many to be one of the greatest Chardonnay vineyards in California. Notes of sea breeze and wild flowers, with subtle hints of pear make this a pleasing and refreshing crisp wine with a savory finish.

Now that summertime is here, this list of California wines are ideal to acquire and enjoy during al fresco meals with loved ones.