Are you still part of the “ABC” (Anything But Chardonnay) club? It might be time to reconsider. 🥂 Once criticized for being overly oaked in the 1990s, Chardonnay has come a long way. Back then, mass production in Australia, California, and South America leaned heavily on oak to mimic Burgundy, giving the grape a reputation it didn’t always deserve.
Today in British Columbia, winemakers are crafting a new wave of Chardonnay — fresher, more balanced, and expressive of local terroir. From crisp, unoaked styles to elegantly buttery, barrel-fermented wines, BC Chardonnay now offers outstanding diversity and value.
Updated for late 2025, this guide reflects current releases available through BC winery direct channels and private retailers. As winter entertaining shifts toward richer dishes and comfort cooking, both oaked and unoaked BC Chardonnays continue to deliver exceptional quality under $40 — making this one of the most reliable value categories in the province.
How to Choose the Right BC Chardonnay
- Unoaked: crisp, citrus-driven, food-friendly
- Light oak / partial malolactic: balance & texture
- Fully oaked: richness, cellar-worthy styles
Below are some of the best value BC Chardonnay bottles to try this season.
Unoaked BC Chardonnay
Dirty Laundry Chardonnay 2023
The grapes for the Chardonnay were sourced from four different vineyards in Summerland and fermented in stainless steel.
12.5% Alcohol. A lovely nose of tropical fruit and citrus. Flavours of pineapple, stone fruit, and melon with a refreshing oily finish. The dry chardonnay has a lean mouthfeel. 91 points
Haywire Garnet Valley Ranch Chardonnay 2020 ($34.99)
The Chardonnay grapes were whole-cluster pressed, with no juice settling or additives. The wine went through natural fermentation in concrete and stainless steel then full malolactic conversion before further ageing for ten months on lees. The wine was then clarified by settling in a tank and bottled unfiltered and allowed further bottle ageing prior to release.
Alc: 12.5% | pH: 3.47 | TA: 5.3 | RS: 0.5
This is a style of Chardonnay where the fruit does the talking and not the oak! A lovely nose of pineapple and citrus. Flavours of pineapple, stone fruit, and melon with a refreshing hint of grapefruit on the finish. The dry chardonnay has a lean mouthfeel. 91 points
River Stone Unoaked Chardonnay 2024 ($24.90)
This is River Stone’s first Chardonnay. It was vinified in stainless steel to preserve the fruit’s freshness, lively acidity, and bright varietal character. 13.2% Alcohol
This Chardonnay showcases vibrant fruit flavours, unmasked by oak. Its enticing nose bursts with tropical pineapple, mango, and citrus, accented by delicate white floral notes. The palate delivers crisp green apple, juicy stone fruit, and melon, culminating in a refreshing grapefruit finish. Dry, with a sleek, medium-lean mouthfeel that balances richness and finesse, this wine is a testament to elegance and clarity. 91 Points
Castoro de Oro Unoaked Chardonnay 2017 ($20)
13.0 % Alcohol. A well-balanced dry chardonnay. Aromas of citrus, creamy caramel, and green apples. On the palate, apples, kiwi, mango, pear, ripe peach, butterscotch and crème caramel, with a creamy citrus finish. 90 Points.
For other excellent Castoro de Oro new releases, see the earlier post here.
Oaked BC Chardonnay
Meyer Stevens Block Chardonnay 2021 ($27.04)
The estate-operated “Old Main Road Vineyard” is located on a terrace on the famed Naramata Bench sub-GI. One of four acres which was planted in 2006 with French clones 4 and 5; has the steepest slope and is the coolest part of the Old Main Road site.
At the winery, the fruit was fed directly into the press for gentle whole cluster pressing. Only the finest free-run juice was used for this wine. The wine started with a long, cool ferment with wild yeast in stainless steel. Then left on its fine lees for a further ten months in older French oak barrels. Natural full malolactic fermentation.
Alcohol: 13.5% / pH: 3.44 / TA: 7.5 g/L
Vibrant citrus aromas with bright floral notes. Medium-bodied and medium-plus acid, with a wonderful buttery mouthfeel. Flavours of lemon curd, pineapple, white peach, honey and a strong mineral backbone. 91 Points
To check out the complete portfolio of Meyer Family Chardonnay, see Four 2022 Chardonnays from Meyer Family Vineyards.
Township 7 Interlude Series Chardonnay 2024 ($27.97)
“This single-vineyard Chardonnay hails from the renowned Russian River Valley in Sonoma, CA. Planted with ‘Wente’ Clone 4 and Dijon Clone 96 vines, the vineyard’s sandy loam soils, rich in shale and volcanic ash, provide excellent drainage and heat retention. Crafted to highlight its bright, fresh fruity character, the wine was predominantly fermented in stainless steel, with the addition of two neutral French oak barriques to enhance texture, complexity, and depth.” Mary McDermott, Township 7 Winemaker
Vineyard: Four Palms, Sonoma, CA
Tech Data: Alc. 13.7% | pH 3.32 | TA 7.5 g/L | RS 1.2 g/L | Vegan
This Chardonnay enchants with an alluring bouquet of ripe tropical pineapple, citrus and lush honeydew melon. The palate unfurls a symphony of crisp green apple, opulent stone fruit, and velvety melon, interwoven with a delicate thread of flinty minerality. Bone-dry, it glides across the tongue with a refined, medium-bodied mouthfeel, masterfully balancing sumptuous richness with poised, exquisite finesse. 92 Points
Monte Creek Ranch Reserve Chardonnay 2016 ($24.99)
The 2016 vintage started with our earliest bud break yet, with most varieties budding out in early April. A warm spring was followed by a rainy June and July bringing things closer to normal. Harvest still began two weeks early, on August 22nd, but was a long and extended one as the last fruit wasn’t harvested until October 28th. Milder temperatures during the heat of summer allowed more gradual ripening than in 2015. This allowed the grapes to accumulate intense flavour without sugars skyrocketing. The vineyards suffered from poor weather during flowering, which resulted in a reduced crop. A less crop usually means more concentration.
The Chardonnay was fermented in oak from the Jupilles forest in France.
Alcohol 13.6%, RS 1.8 gm/ L, pH 3.46, TA 6.8 gm/L.
True lemon in colour. Aromas of citrus, bread dough with a touch of vanilla. Pineapple, lemon, peach, caramel, toasted oak and a hint of honey are on the palate. Nicely balanced acidity with a rich, smooth, buttery mouthfeel. This complex Chardonnay won a Gold Medal at the Prestigious 2018 Decanter World Wine Awards and the 2018 Pacific Rim Wine Competition. An outstanding value at only $24.99. 93 Points.
Tantalus Juveniles Chardonnay 2017 ($19.13)
All sourced from the single vineyard estate, the young gun Chardonnay block was handpicked and vinified in small lots using entirely wild fermentation. The wine was crafted in a combination of stainless steel and neutral barrels, to ensure the purity of the fruit was maintained with just a wisp of the oak present. At only 6 years old, this young vineyard is already showing incredible potential and it will be interesting to see how the site evolves and develops over the next 20 years.
12.3% Alcohol. A classic Chardonnay with aromas of green apple, lemon rind and a touch of fresh oyster shell. Flavours of ripe apple and Meyer lemon with just a hint of oak. Super mouthfeel with well-balanced acid. A light crisp chardonnay that will really hit its stride on a hot BC day. Amazing wine for only 6-year-old vines…that’s Kelowna wine country for you! 91 Points.
Pair with neutral “undressed” Gone Crackers. Here is the link to where you can buy these premium crackers. Also works well with shrimp or fish tacos.
Time Chardonnay 2019 ($22.99)
The grapes are from the Sundial Vineyard on the acclaimed Black Sage Bench. The Chardonnay was crafted by fermenting 1/3 in oak, ageing 1/3 in barrel for four months, with the remaining 1/3 fermented and aged in stainless steel. All oak barrels are medium toast with toasted heads and a combination of new and 1-year-old barrels.
13.9% Alcohol. This is a good age for an Okanagan Valley Chardonnay. It is still tasting extremely well. Aromas of baked apple, pineapple, lemon zest and tropical fruit. Flavours of pineapple, ripe apple, honeydew melon with a long buttery vanilla finish. 91 Points
Four Shadows Chardonnay 2019 ($22.99)
113 cases were produced. 40% aged in 2nd-year oak for 4 months, the remainder in stainless steel, blended just before bottling. Fermented dry. Partial malolactic fermentation. 14.1 % Alcohol.
A full-bodied, slightly oaked wine releases aromas of honey, butterscotch, pear, and caramel. On the palate, you will find flavours of white peach and nectarine, vanilla, ripe pear, mandarin orange and a wonderful buttery mouthfeel. This is another beautifully balanced wine from Four Shadows. 91 Points.
See Ya Later Ranch Chardonnay 2018 ($17.97)
13.3% Alcohol. Aromas of vanilla, tropical fruit salad and caramel. On the palate Meyer lemon, ripe pear and apple and buttery toasted oak. A well-rounded mouthfeel with plenty of acid to cut through the butter! Terrific long finish. 90 Points
Intrigue Wines Chardonnay 2018 ($16.90)
12% of the wine was fermented in new French oak barrels.
Alcohol 12.1%, RS 8 gm/ L, TA 6.63 gm/L.
This is a lightly oaked chard. Aromas of green apple, tropical fruit with a hint of caramel. On the palate, ripe apple, Anjo pear, pineapple, honeydew melon, kiwi and toffee with crisp well-balanced acid. A great white for a hot summer day. 90 Points
The 2017 Vintage won a Bronze medal at All Canadian Wine Championship 2018.
The strong fruit character and rich structure allow this wine to compliment Roast Chicken, Cedar Plank Salmon or Crab Cakes.
Church & State Wines Coyote Bowl Series Chardonnay 2018 ($31.04)
Pressed in whole bunches and fermented in barrels for 3 weeks. Aged in French oak barrels for 8 months.
12.5% Alcohol | TA: 5.5 G/ L| RS: 2.5 G/ L
The chardonnay has a complex nose of green apples, almonds and ripe bananas. Flavours of pineapple, white peach and apricot with a mineral backbone. The buttery mouthfeel is smooth with balanced acidity and a long, rolling finish. 91 Points
Paired with pasta and Alfredo sauce.
Unsworth Chardonnay 2019 ($30.35)
2019 marks the inaugural release of Unsworth Chardonnay which is certain to become a mainstay of their Portfolio. The grapes are from the Mildenstein Vineyard. The cool climate expression of this noblest grape is dry and poised on the palate with an elegant integration of fruit.
The Chardonnay was fermented and aged for 8 months in neutral French oak barrels.
Alcohol 11.9% | pH 3.1 |TA 6.45 gm/L | RS 0.41 gm/L | SO2: 11 ppm
This is a young, bone-dry chardonnay. Aromas of Meyer lemon, yellow apple and marzipan. Flavours of lemon zest, Mandarin orange and green apple with chalky minerality. The wine will develop more complexity with 3-5 years of cellaring. 90 Points`
The Chardonnay was paired perfectly with Indonesian pork tenderloin and vegetable stir fry.
Dirty Laundry Reserve Chardonnay 2019 ($21.49)
100% Chardonnay from Summerland. Partial malolactic fermentation softens any sharp edges while still retaining a firm backbone of acidity. 60% spends 8 months in new French Oak, 40% in stainless steel which helps to retain fruitiness.
Alcohol 12.8%, pH 3.2, TA 7.35 gm/L, RS 1.21 gm/ L
A bone-dry chardonnay that is lightly oaked. Aromas of ripe apples and citrus. Flavours of green and red apples, Meyer Lemon, and caramel with lively acidity and a soft mineral backbone. Easy drinking alone or to complement seafood or pasta dishes. 90 Points.
👉 If Chardonnays feel a little too bold or too light for your taste, be sure to explore our Top 10 BC White Wine Blends Under $20 for crisp, crowd-pleasing alternatives.