Chardonnay La Carriere

Producer history

Peter Michael Winery was founded in 1982 when Sir Peter Michael and Lady Michael purchased roughly 630 acres of volcanic ridgeland on the western face of Mount St. Helena in Knights Valley, Sonoma County, explicitly modeling the estate on the great wineries of Burgundy and Bordeaux. The winery today produces around 15 distinct bottlings, including six single-vineyard-designate Chardonnays (La Carrière among them), farmed under vineyard manager Javier Aviña using sustainable, partly biodynamic practices.

Signature pairings

• Steamed sea bass with lime and garlic (ปลากะพงนึ่งมะนาว) — The wine's bright acidity and mineral edge mirror the citrus and garlic in this dish without a chili-forward sauce that would clash with the oak-driven richness.
• Pan-seared scallops with brown butter — Rich, barrel-fermented Chardonnay with lees-derived texture is a classic match for butter-basted shellfish, echoing its own creamy mouthfeel.
• Green papaya salad (mild, no chili) (ส้มตำ (ไม่เผ็ด)) — This wine's high alcohol and oak character make it a poor match for the typically fiery version of this dish — only works in a mild, low-chili preparation where the wine's acidity can still cut through the tartness.