Chardonnay is one of the world’s most expressive white grapes, capable of shifting from bright and mineral to richly textured and oak-kissed depending on site, cellar choices, and intent. In a competition setting, the wines that rise to the top tend to share one thing in common: balance — where ripeness meets lift, and richness still feels energetic.

This year’s Best Chardonnay finalists from the 2025 San Francisco International Wine Competition (SFIWC) represent three distinct expressions of the varietal, each delivering a compelling interpretation of what Chardonnay can be when craftsmanship and clarity lead the way.

Trujillo Wines is led by winemaker and founder Michael Trujillo, whose background in agriculture and decades in Napa Valley inform a style built around precision, structure, and site expression. The 2023 Trujillo Chardonnay is positioned as a Burgundy-inspired expression, with fruit sourced from Napa Valley’s cooler Oak Knoll AVA, aiming to retain natural acidity and freshness while building texture through oak aging.

Trujillo Wines has built its reputation around small-lot Napa Valley bottlings guided by a clear philosophy: layered complexity without sacrificing poise. In the 2023 Chardonnay, that approach translates into a focused, mineral-driven core framed by French oak influence.

Jeff Runquist Wines, based in California’s Amador County, is known for producing balanced wines that show fresh fruit character and can be enjoyed young or aged for added complexity. In the the 2024 Chardonnay, you'll find layered orchard fruit and a toasty frame, with enough lift to keep the finish clean and persistent. 

From Carneros richness to Columbia Valley depth, this year’s Best Chardonnay finalists from the 2025 SFIWC show just how broad the category can be. Congratulations to Trujillo on earning Best Chardonnay, and to Jeff Runquist Wines and Maryhill Winery for advancing to the final round with standout products.