Hobo Wine Company Camp Chardonnay

Founded in 2002, the Hobo Wine Company is a family-owned, independently operated winery based in the historic Roseland neighbourhood of Santa Rosa, running entirely on local renewable energy. Camp Wines, launched in 2011 as a sub-label of Hobo, was created with a clear mission: to showcase the quality and value of Sonoma County wine by working with top growers in responsibly farmed, lesser-known vineyards throughout the region. The approach is refreshingly straightforward: native yeasts for both primary and secondary fermentations, real oak barrels and stainless steel rather than flavoring agents or additives, and an honest expression of place at an accessible price. The 2022 Camp Chardonnay is a genuinely complex multi-vineyard blend, drawing from six sites across Sonoma County and beyond. The backbone is 83% Chardonnay from the Lloyd Vineyard in Alexander Valley, supplemented by fruit from the Vecino Vineyard in Potter Valley, Prior in Sonoma Valley, Lolonis in Redwood Valley, Brosseau in Chalone, and Amaya Ridge in the Santa Cruz Mountains, with a small addition of Viognier from Morrison Ranch in Suisun Valley lending a touch of aromatic lift. The various lots were fermented in a combination of stainless steel tanks and neutral French oak barrels, then aged sur lie in older French oak until the completion of malolactic fermentation before returning to stainless for blending and bottling. The result is bright and fresh, leaning more toward Chablis than Burgundy in its overall character. Aromas of tropical fruit, peach, and citrus are framed by light toasty nuances and a mineral-driven core. The palate is lively and textured, with a creamy mid-palate from the lees aging kept in check by good acidity and a clean, fresh finish. A versatile, crowd-pleasing Chardonnay that delivers real winemaking integrity at an everyday price point.