From my recent tastings of white and sparkling wines from west coast USA during VanWineFest 2025, a few key trends emerge. Chardonnay remains a dominant varietal, showcasing a range of styles from richer, rounder textures with lower acidity in Paso Robles to fresher, more mineral-driven expressions from Oregon’s Willamette Valley. There is a clear emphasis on texture and mouthfeel, with many Chardonnays offering soft, silky, or even thicker profiles. Sparkling wines from California and Washington stand out with vibrant acidity and expressive fruit profiles. The wines illustrated a balance between approachability and complexity, making them excellent choices for a variety of palates.
I invite you to read my tasting notes of my favourite white and sparkling wines from VanWineFest 2025 and see if you agree with my summary.
My White and Sparkling Wine Picks
Booker Wines My Favorite Neighbor Chardonnay 2021, Paso Robles, California – A deeper lemon colour. Light but rich aromas of pineapple and sweet spices, which continue to the palate. Medium-plus body with a soft, round, thicker mouthfeel. Lower acidity. 
CK Mondavi and Family Charles Krug Chardonnay 2023, Napa Valley, California – A big wine. Medium-minus intensity, expressive aromas of pears and other stone fruits. Medium-plus body, round with a thicker mouthfeel. Oranges, stone fruits and touches of oak and pepperiness on the palate. Medium acidity.
Hope Family Wines Austin Chardonnay 2023, Paso Robles, California – This wine has a deeper lemon colour. Light tropical fruit with a hint of orange on the nose. Dry, medium body. Medium acidity. Light stone fruit and sweet spices on the palate. Light pepperiness.
Gloria Ferrer Sonoma Brut NV, Sonoma County, California – This sparkling wine has a deeper lemon colour. A nice, fresh stone fruit nose. Dry with a medium-plus body. Creamy, medium-sized bubbles. Crisp apple flavour with a touch of bitterness on the finish.
Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Noirs NV, Sonoma County, California – A light apple colour. Fresh stone fruit aromas. Dryish, with medium-sized bubbles. Light toastiness and bruised apple flavours. The bubbles fill your mouth.
J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines Arroyo Vista Chardonnay 2022, Paso Robles, California – Medium lemon colour. Fresh tropical fruit and stone fruit aromas to start and then with swirling you also get sweet spices and apple aromas. Medium body with a silky smooth texture. Sweet spices and ripe apples on the palate. Medium acidity. Medium length.
Justin Vineyards & Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2022, Paso Robles, California – Light lemon colour. A flinty/stony stone fruit nose. Dry, light body with a soft mouthfeel. Medium acidity. Stone fruits, some spearmint, pepperiness, and sweet spices on the palate.
McPrice Myers Beautiful Earth Paso Robles White 2023, California – a blend of 56% Grenache Blanc and 44% Clairette Blanche. It has a light lemon colour. Light citrus, stone fruit and white flower aromas. Medium-plus body with a round, smooth, thicker mouthfeel. Medium-plus stone fruit flavours and a citrus edge. Very expressive flavours. Bright acidity. I think that this wine can age. Medium-plus length with a touch of pepperiness on the finish.
Wente Vineyards Morning Fog Chardonnay 2023, Livermore Valley, California – Medium lemon colour. Light aromas of stone fruit with a touch of orange. Lighter boy with a smooth mouthfeel. Stone fruit, apples and light cinnamon spice on the palate. Lower acidity. 
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The Wine Group Imagery Estate Winery Chardonnay 2022, California – Medium lemon colour. Citrus, mint and a touch of honey on the nose that continues to the palate. Dry, with a soft and round mouthfeel. I picked up some nutmeg flavour and then pepperiness on the finish. Medium length. A nice wine. –
Citation Wine Centerstone Willamette Valley Chardonnay 2018, Oregon – Medium lemon colour. Nice, fresh stone fruit aromas, with pears in particular. Dry with a lighter body. Stone fruits, pears, and some stony minerality on the palate. Medium acidity. Medium-plus length. Quality.
Erath Willakia Vineyard Chardonnay 2019, Oregon – This wine has a deeper lemon colour. A light stone fruit nose. Dry, medium body with smooth mouthfeel. Apple, stone fruit, sweet spices and oak flavours.
Lingua Franca Estates Chardonnay 2021, Willamette Valley, Oregon – Medium lemon colour. Light citrus and flint aromas. Medium body, smooth round, with a light mouthfeel. Crisp apple and apple skin plus touches of oak and sweet spices on the palate.
Aquilini Wines Gia Bella Sparkling Brut 2020, Red Mountain, Washington – It has a light copper colour. Very fresh aromatics of crab apples. Dry, medium body with high acidity. Small creamy and bitting bubbles. Crab apple flavours. A touch of bitter skin on finish.
Tirriddis Sparkling Wines Grand Rendition Brut NV, Columbia Valley, Washington – Medium lemon colour. Fresh stone fruit aromas. Dry with a light body. High acidity. Tart stone fruit flavours. A mix of small-sized creamy and biting bubbles.
These wines won’t be available for purchase in Canada at the moment as provincial government liquor distribution agencies have pulled all USA wines. Hopefully the tariff wars between Canada and the USA will end soon and we can enjoy these wines.
