25 Feb Please The Palate Wine of the Week: Dry Creek Vineyard 2023 Sparkling Chenin Blanc, Clarksburg

On my way home from a two-week road trip, I stopped at a friend’s house for dinner and a long “catch-up.” Even after all those days on the road, I still brought a bottle of wine to share. Fresh, lively, elegant, and sparkling, it was a perfect wine for the evening, which is why the Dry Creek Vineyard 2023 Sparkling Chenin Blanc, is the Please The Palate Wine of the Week.

About Dry Creek Vineyard

Based in Sonoma County, Dry Creek Vineyard was founded in 1972 by David Stare and has been committed to balancing Old World elegance with New World clarity. The winery has spent decades exploring the varied terroirs of the region, becoming particularly associated with expressive whites and structured reds. One of its long-standing projects is a deep engagement with Chenin Blanc, a grape that is less common in California today but has a meaningful history at Dry Creek. The winery has championed Chenin Blanc for more than five decades. David Stare aspired to produce aromatic white wines like those that are found in the Loire Valle and, seeing a parallel between the coolness of the Loire Valley and the Clarksburg AVA, he took a leap of faith. 50 years later, Chenin Blanc is a key part of the Dry Creek Vineyard legacy.

About Chenin Blanc

Chenin Blanc is a grape with a wide stylistic range, known most often for its role in Loire Valley wines from Vouvray and Saumur. In capable hands, it can be dry and mineral, soft and lush, or bright and zesty. When made into sparkling wine, Chenin Blanc’s natural acidity becomes an asset, offering lift, vibrancy, and textural elegance without heaviness. The result is a sparkling white that feels both refined and approachable.

At Dry Creek Vineyard, Chenin Blanc is made two ways, as a dry still wine and as a sparkling wine.

Tasting Notes

The 2023 Dry Creek Vineyard Sparkling Chenin Blanc is fermented in stainless steel and made in the Méthode Champenoise tradition and aged for 19 months on the lees. The result is a wine with a pale straw hue and a lively bead. On the nose, it shows aromas of crisp citrus, green apple, white peach, honeydew melon, and hints of white flowers. The palate is light, fresh and energetic, with notes of lemon peel, pear, and subtle brioche from traditional method aging. Its texture is delicate but precise, with bright acidity that keeps the wine lively from first sip to finish.

Food Pairing

Chenin Blanc is a versatile wine to pair with food and this Sparkling Chenin Blanc is no exception. Its acidity and finesse make it a natural match for seafood, such as oysters, shrimp, or grilled scallops, but it also plays beautifully with lighter fare like salads, fresh goat cheese, or herb-driven vegetable dishes. Enjoy it with spiced salads or mild Asian flavors. The brightness and subtle complexity of this wine will elevate the meal.

My friend put together a light spread and the wine definitely paired with the goat cheese, as well as salted butter on fresh bread.

Where To Purchase

The Dry Creek Vineyard 2023 Sparkling Chenin Blanc retails for $50 and can be purchased directly from the Dry Creek Vineyard website.