Lioco Chardonnay Sonoma County, USA 2022

Producer: LIOCO

Grape: Chardonnay

Where: Sonoma County, California

Country: USA

Taste: Lemonheads, green pear, thai basil, kumquar, crushed chalk, and jasmine flower. 

Vibes with: Croque Monsieur, lobster roll, Baja-style fish tacos

Organic Farming

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Additional Info:

Sourced from Occidental, Burnside Road, Piner, and Garden Creek Vineyards (Sonoma County AVA). Hand-harvested. Fermented in majority stainless steel and the rest in large neutral oak casks (no battonage) for 6 months. 4,341 cases produced.

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LIOCO traces its origins to an alley behind Spago Beverly Hills, where Matt Licklider, a wine salesman, and his colleague pondered the possibility of crafting wines that favored nuance over sheer power. In 2005, driven by a passion for European finesse and the more restrained California wines of the 1980s, Matt, along with his wife Sara, embarked on a winemaking journey. Today, the Licklider family, together with their dedicated team, operates the winery from a state-of-the-art facility in Santa Rosa.

The heart of LIOCO’s winemaking philosophy lies in sourcing fruit from exceptional vineyards spanning 400 miles across five counties. Their focus on Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Carignan leads them to vineyards with older vines, distinctive soils, and heritage clones. Occasionally, their pursuit of Pinot Noir uncovers unexpected treasures like coastal Syrah or rare mid-century plantings of Valdiguie. The team’s commitment to minimal intervention during fermentation and bottling reflects their belief in honoring the inherent quality of well-grown fruit.

LIOCO stands as a trailblazer in the New California Wine movement, epitomized by the relentless dedication of Matt and Sara Licklider. Situated in Healdsburg, the winery passionately seeks out ‘special places,’ favoring organic, often dry-farmed vineyards and emphasizing sustainable viticulture. Under the leadership of winemaker Drew Huffine and viticulturist Prudy Foxx, LIOCO’s unwavering commitment to transparency and natural balance reshapes the narrative of Californian winemaking, crafting wines that eloquently express the authenticity of their terroir.