ROAR "Rosella's Vineyard" Chardonnay 2024
(Santa Lucia Highlands, California) - [WP 96] [JD 95] [WE 94]

About the Winery:
Gary and Rosella Franscioni started ROAR Wines with the knowledge that Pinot Noir had a shining future in the Santa Lucia Highlands, and a dream that their farming know-how would translate amazing grapes into amazing wines. Rosella’s Vineyard was planted on their home ranch in 1996, followed by Garys’ Vineyard in 1997 in partnership with the Pisoni family. The first vintage of ROAR was released in 2001, made from these two vineyards. From the beginning, Gary and Rosella’s mission was to make wines that they themselves would love to drink. Their approach was met with critical recognition almost immediately. Two more beautiful vineyards were planted about a decade later: Sierra Mar and Soberanes. Today, Gary and his sons continue to improve and innovate in the vineyards and winery to produce the best quality their land can create.

About the Vineyard:
Rosella’s Vineyard is the first property we planted to vine and is the northernmost of our vineyards. Planted in 1996, it wraps around the family home and is named for Rosella, Gary’s wife. Its rows of vines ascend from River Road up the hillside toward the mountain ridge, often laced with fog. Plush lemon trees flank its western edge. The sandy loam soil allows good drainage, encouraging deep vine roots that add complexity in the wines. Here we grow Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah. Our wines from Rosella’s Vineyard are known for their expressive aromatics and smooth suppleness on the palate.

Ratings & Reviews

96 Points - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Palate:
"The 2024 Rosella's Vineyard Chardonnay slowly emerges from the glass with a very pretty perfume of white peaches and honey-drizzled pears, plus hints of marzipan, fresh ginger, and allspice. The full-bodied palate is wonderfully seamless with elegant orchard fruit layers, well-knit freshness, and a satiny texture, finishing long and whispery. Drinking Window: 2026-2040."

95 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"From the cooler, later-harvested site, the impressive 2024 Chardonnay Rosella's Vineyard sees extended hangtime and more ocean influence, its growing cycle beginning earlier in the season and taking longer to get to full maturity. Salty citrus and flinty matchstick notes highlight an elegant, full-bodied, barrel-fermented mouthfeel of textured richness and intensity that still manages to retain plenty of juicy acidity and floral flourish. Drink now through 2036." -Virginie Boone (Jun 2026)

94 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
"Clean and bold lines of lemon pudding and peel draw the nose deeply into this bottling. There is a tensely chiseled weave to the palate, where the lemon sharpness plays off of the warmer honey tones. Patience will reward here, so drink 2027-2037." -Matt Kettmann (Oct 2026)