Talley Vineyards Estate Chardonnay SLO Coast 2022

If you’re talking about consistency and excellence in Southern California, then you better make sure that conversation includes the great Brian Talley. Brian is a third generation farmer in San Luis Obispo whose family has been making use of the fertile land in the coastal region since the 1940’s. Talley Farms grew a reputation over the decades as a place to get the best fresh produce in the area. But when Brian took over the family winery in 1991, he quickly built a new twist on the family reputation, by being known more for churning out some of the most interesting, sophisticated old-world style wines in all of California. He became and is a media darling, oftentimes mentioned in the same vein in Chardonnay winemaking as the likes of Paul Hobbs, Steve Kistler and Larry Hyde.

Brian seized on a great opportunity to purchase a few vineyards throughout the Arroyo Grande region in the 1990’s picking perfect spots for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes to thrive. Talley single-vineyard wines are also produced by a list of some of the best in the business, including Au Bon Climat, Ojai and Paul Lato. That’s a testament to the quality of vineyards the Talleys have. The dozens of 90+ Wine Advocate scores, as well as his Robert Parker’s, “Wine Person of the Year Award” is a testament to how much Brian Talley means to the American wine community.