Five MacRostie wines have been recommended and reviewed by Owen Bargreen.

MACROSTIE VINEYARDS

January 26, 2023

I fondly recall my first visit to MacRostie, hosted by fellow Whitman alum Steve MacRostie. For many years I have loved these wines, particularly the value that their entry-level wines bring. MacRostie Chardonnay and Pinot Noir have quite frankly been a regional pillar in value and you can find these wines in supermarkets that span the entire United States. Winemaker Heidi Bridenhagen has a illustrious history in the wine industry. After attaining her undergraduate degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder she worked in the laboratory of Jackson Family Wines before working at Clos du Bois, Oyster Bay as well as Sonoma-Cutrer. The new wines are all outstanding coming from the 2020 and 2019 vintages.

MacRostie sources from some great vineyards including Dutton Ranch, Sangiacomo, Martinelli and Bacigalupi, and from MacRostie’s Estate Wildcat Mountain Vineyard which was purchased decades back. I love the new 2020 MacRostie ‘Nightwing Vineyard’ Chardonnay (OB, 93)  which is deep and concentrated, coming off very clean from this challenging vintage. which is nicely textured and shows delicious orchard fruit flavors. I adore the new 2019 MacRostie ‘Sparkling Brut’ Sparkling Wine (OB, 91) which is fresh and shows a lovely texture and silky mousse. Learn more about this great Sonoma winery at http://macrostiewinery.com/ Here are the outstanding wines by MacRostie.

2019 MacRostie Vineyards ‘Sparkling Brut’ Sparkling Wine
91 Points

“The 2019 ‘Sparkling Brut’ is a methode champenoise wine that spent 30 months en tirage before disgorgement in August 2022. This is very fresh on the mouth, with a ripe texture. Layers of honeydew melon and baked apple combine with good finesse on the palate. Enjoy now and over the next seven years. Drink 2023-2030″ — Owen Bargreen

2021 Clockwise Sauvignon Blanc (Sold Out)
91 Points

“The 2021 Clockwise Sauvignon Blanc was matured entirely in stainless steel and was mostly sourced from the Jewell Ranch. White grapefruit and nectarine tones combine with shades of gooseberry and stony minerals on the nose. The palate is very fresh and lithe with a soft texture upon entry. Gorgeous to consume now, enjoy over the next five years. Drink 2022-2027” — Owen Bargreen

2021 MacRostie Vineyards Rosé (Sold Out)
90 Points

“Sourced mostly from a cooler portion of the Thale’s Estate Vineyard in the Russian River Valley, this was fermented in both stainless steel and neutral oak barrels before bottling. A pretty salmon hue, this offers guava and cranberry flavors that mingle well with shades of kumquat and wet rock on the palate. Enjoy now. Drink 2022-2026” — Owen Bargreen

2020 MacRostie Vineyards ‘Nightwing Vineyard’ Chardonnay
93 Points

“Coming from a site near the Gap’s Crown Vineyard, the ‘Nightwing Vineyard’ is set at 1400 feet and features 44 acres of Pinot Noir and 30 acres of Chardonnay. This wine is very fresh and smooth on the mouth with a sensational texture. Layers of buttercream and lemon rind dusted brioche combine with salted praline notes on the palate. Complex and quite salty, this utterly fabulous Chardonnay to enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2023-2033” — Owen Bargreen

2020 MacRostie ‘Day Ranch Vineyard’ Pinot Noir
92 Points (Sold Out)

“The ‘Day Ranch Vineyard’ is an Anderson Valley site that is planted to a range of clonal selection Pinot Noir. The wine was stored for ten months in 25% new French oak before bottling, as it slowly unveils ripe red currants and tobacco leaf with flinty undertones on the nose. The palate comes off fresh and beautifully textured, with concentrated tart red fruit and citrus rind flavors. Enjoy now and over the next eight years. Drink 2023-2031” — Owen Bargreen

The 2023 vintage of MacRostie Chardonnay is already making waves. In the November 2025 issue of The Tasting Panel, critic Michael Franz recommended four standout bottlings, each earning high scores and thoughtful praise. From the vibrant Stubbs Vineyard to the richly styled Mirabelle, these wines shine a spotlight on the depth and versatility of MacRostie’s Chardonnay craft.

The Tasting Panel Magazine
November 2025
Michael Franz

2023 MacRostie Stubbs Vineyard Chardonnay Petaluma Gap – 97 Points
“The cool, extended 2023 growing season was very effectively utilized in the growing and vinifying of this wine, which offers expressive and fully satisfying aromas and flavors but is most remarkable for its bright clarity and linear energy. In its way, it brings Puligny-Montrachet to mind and is terrific now but destined for a decade of positive development.”

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2023 MacRostie Mirabelle Vineyard Chardonnay Russian River Valley – 95 Points
“This producer’s mastery with Chardonnay is proved by the roaring success of this wine, which is utterly different from the Stubbs Vineyard 2023. Entirely seductive with its tropical fruit and mandarin orange aromas and flavors braced by more assertive, spicy and toasty oak than in the Stubbs, both have remarkably long, pure, symmetrical finishes.”

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2023 MacRostie Russian River Valley Chardonnay – 93 Points
“By comparison to this producer’s excellent Sonoma Coast Chardonnay, this shows a bit more weight and a bit more wood influence to match. Light floral aromas lead to a medium-bodied profile with classic orchard fruit notes at its core, edged with citrus-like acidity.”

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2023 MacRostie Sonoma Coast Chardonnay – 92 Points
“A Chardonnay that stand out on ground of impeccably pure fruit, this shows just enough spice and a faint hint of barrel toast to keep it on the right side of the line separating ‘pure’ from ‘simple’. With fruit notes recalling ripe peaches with a touch of tropical fruit akin to pineapple, this is delicious in a straightforward style.”

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Meridith May recommended three MacRostie wines for The Tasting Panel.

The Tasting Panel Magazine
 July/August 2025
 Meridith May

2022 MacRostie Olivet Lane Pinot Noir Russian River Valley – 95 Points
“Sweet tobacco and soil meld with a perfume of dried roses and basil. The palate is opulent – with a dash of salinity marking pomegranate and candied applies – and the mouthfeel is sleek, revealing a dollop of raspberry jelly on the finish.”

2022 MacRostie Gap’s Crown Pinot Noir Petaluma Gap – 94 Points
“Spiced mulberry goes juicy on entry with dried rose petals and red tea leaves. Black raspberry is accompanied by dusky notes of bramble and sweet earth.”

2024 MacRostie Rosé of Pinot Noir – 92 Points
“Delicate, bracing notes of Rainer cherry, watermelon, and lanolin add texture to slate and dried rose petal. A juicy wake-up call at mid-point reflects tension and verve.”