2023 Francis Ford Coppola Chardonnay Santa Lucia Highlands Diamond Collection

The wines of the Diamond Collection are made from grapes from California vineyards from both the coastal regions and the inland valleys. When paired well with the fruit from these selections (from the warmer valleys and cooler coasts) you get great and beautifully complex wines and this is certainly the reason why the Diamond Collection from Coppola is one of the most popular ranges of wines. The cool air of the Pacific flows in the afternoon into the valleys that run perpendicular to the ocean and deep inland. Monterey, the picturesque coastal town south of San Francisco, has such a beautiful cool valley. The fruit from this valley has a wonderfully ripe character, as well as a nice freshness.

The Chardonnay Santa Lucia Highlands Diamond Appellation Series, is made from grapes grown in the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA. Due to its proximity to Monterrey Bay, this area is characterized by strong maritime influences on temperature, wind and the presence of fog. These relatively cooler conditions that result from this ensure a slow, very even ripening process, which results in grapes with great concentration. The wine is aged for nine months in barrels of the highest quality French and Hungarian oak, which gives it a beautiful, subtle wood tone. The result is a rich, full-bodied wine with generous fruit aromas and a beautiful balance. On the nose aromas of apple, figs, crème brûlée and honeysuckle. On the taste, these are accompanied by notes of toasted bread and nuts. Silky smooth and with a persistent long elegant finish and a beautiful round structure.

Need advice on finding the perfect wine for your dish? Click here for our exclusive Sommelier. Free for Grandcruwijnen customers.  

• Grilled chicken with lemon and thyme
  The juiciness of the chicken and the fresh citrus notes complement the fruity and slightly creamy character of the wine.

• Risotto with mushrooms and Parmesan cheese
  The creamy texture of the risotto is enhanced by the soft wood influences of the Chardonnay, while the umami of the mushrooms gives the wine extra depth.

• Shrimp in garlic butter with parsley
  The salty and creamy notes of the shrimp find a nice balance in the lively acids and subtle fat of the wine.

• Corn cakes with crème fraîche and chives
  The slightly sweet corn and fresh topping go perfectly with the tropical fruit and soft spiciness of the wine.

• Linguine with lobster, lime and tarragon butter
  The luxury of the lobster is supported by the roundness of the wine, while the lime and tarragon emphasise the fresh side.

• White asparagus with hollandaise sauce
  The buttery sauce and mild bitters of the asparagus are beautifully framed by the vanilla tones and pure acidity of the Chardonnay.

ABOUT FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA

Francis Ford Coppola (Detroit, April 7, 1939) is an American director, film producer and screenwriter known for The Godfather trilogy and Apocalypse Now and is considered one of the most important directors in Hollywood. In addition, Francis Ford Coppola has been active in wine growing and trading since the 1970s. In 1975, together with his wife, he bought the estate of the Finnish sea captain Gustave Niebaum in Rutherford, California (located in the famous wine region of Napa Valley) and the surrounding vineyards. That winery is now called the Rubicon Estate Winery. Coppola is also the owner of the Francis Ford Coppola Winery in the Sonoma Valley.

Winemaking has been a long-standing tradition in the Coppola family. Francis Ford Coppola has been making wine even longer than he has been directing films. Grandfather Coppola used to make wine in the cellars of their New York apartment from grapes that had been specially imported from California. The wines that Coppola makes today are no longer the same as those from the cellars in New York, but they are made with the same philosophy. Wines to drink with friends and family. The parent company of the Francis Ford Coppola Winery was named USA Wine Producer of the Year by the International Wine & Spirit Competition on November 16, 2011.