A wine that often falls under the radar among Etude's lineup is the Chardonnay. The 2021 Chardonnay Grace Benoist Ranch, a mix of several clones grown on generally loamier portions of the estate, is barrel fermented in older barrels, with no malolactic fermentation. It's gently floral, with delicate scents of white peaches and fresh limes on the nose, while being medium to full-bodied but streamlined on the palate, with mouthwatering acids and a long, zesty finish.

Fermented and aged in neutral oak, with no malolactic fermentation, the 2019 Chardonnay Grace Benoist Ranch offers up scents of pineapple and white peach on the nose. Medium to full-bodied, it's plump and juicy, with ample weight, texture and concentration, and hints of pear and anise on the finish. While the six clones that go into this wine used to be picked and vinified separately, they're now being harvested at the same time and co-fermented.

Whole-cluster pressed, this wine is fermented in neutral French oak and sees no malolactic. The 2018 Chardonnay Grace Benoist Ranch gives up uncomplicated notes of baked apples, Bosc pears and musk melon with a hint of toast. Medium-bodied, the palate has a lovely satiny texture with a racy line lifting the stone fruit flavors, finishing with a citrusy kick. 1,819 cases were made.

The 2017 Chardonnay Grace Benoist Ranch leaps from the glass with scents of peach cobbler, pineapple upside-down cake and green guava with hints of butterscotch and preserved ginger. Medium-bodied, the palate has a lovely silkiness to the texture and loads of buttered toast nuances contributing to the tropical fruit, finishing with a zippy line of freshness. 1,137 cases were made.

The 2016 Chardonnay Grace Benoist Ranch is composed of 100% Chardonnay aged in neutral French oak for 11 months. It has a toasty nose of fresh bread and roasted almonds over a core of apple pie and warm apricots plus a waft of ginger. Medium-bodied, the palate has a silken texture and plenty of pure, unadulterated fruit, finishing savory. 490 cases produced.