French-Style Chardonnay and Pinot Noir Wineries in California

Aug 30

California is famous for bold Cabernet and lush Zinfandel, but in recent decades, a quiet revolution has been taking place. A handful of wineries are looking for inspiration, crafting wines that reflect the elegance, restraint, and balance of France’s most celebrated regions. From Burgundy to Champagne, these French influences are shaping how California interprets Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

If you’re searching for French-style wineries in California, these producers stand out for their commitment to old-world techniques while honoring the unique terroir of Sonoma Coast and Anderson Valley.

European Style Winery in California

Brick & Mortar Wines

Location: Anderson Valley & Sonoma Coast

Brick & Mortar Wines is at the forefront of French-inspired winemaking in California, focusing on Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and sparkling wines. Our vineyards in Anderson Valley and the Sonoma Coast offer the perfect cool-climate conditions to mirror the delicacy of Burgundy and the freshness of Champagne.

Founded by winemaker Matt & Partner Alexis Iaconis, the winery sources grapes from high-elevation, cool-climate sites in Anderson Valley and the Sonoma Coast, offering the perfect cool-climate conditions to mirror the delicacy of Burgundy and the freshness of Champagne.

The result? Pinot Noirs with delicate aromatics, bright red fruit, and a mineral backbone reminiscent of Burgundy. Our Pinot Noirs are crafted with minimal intervention, native fermentations, and restrained use of oak, hallmarks of French-inspired Pinot Noir wines. Shop our Pinot Noir & Chardonnay Wines on our website here.

Cobb Wines | The True Sonoma Coast

Location: Occidental & Freestone, Sonoma Coast

Ross Cobb has dedicated his career to championing the true western Sonoma Coast, with vineyards in the cool-climate regions of Occidental and Freestone. The wines are crafted with a Burgundian mindset: whole-cluster fermentation, neutral oak, and a patient approach.

The resulting Pinot Noirs are striking, perfumed with red fruit, tea leaves, and forest floor, while remaining fresh and precise. Cobb’s wines are among the closest California has come to evoking the subtle beauty of Burgundy.

Ernest Vineyards | Old World Elegance, Sonoma Coast Terroir

Location: Sonoma Coast

Ernest Vineyards is one of the clearest expressions of old-world style winemaking in California. Sourcing fruit from the Sonoma Coast, Ernest crafts Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with a focus on tension, structure, and minerality rather than ripeness.

Their wines have a soulful quality, more reminiscent of Burgundy than the typical California style. Crisp Chardonnay with a backbone of acidity, and Pinot Noir that layers red fruit with earthy undertones, these are wines that invite thoughtful drinking and pair seamlessly with food.

Littorai | Burgundy Roots in the Sonoma Coast

Location: Sebastopol, Sonoma Coast

Littorai was founded by legendary winemaker Ted Lemon. It has become synonymous with Burgundy-style winemaking in California. Ted trained in Burgundy, including time at Domaine Roulot in Meursault, before bringing those lessons home to the Sonoma Coast.

Littorai pioneered the single-vineyard movement in Sonoma, crafting Chardonnay and Pinot Noir that are transparent reflections of place. These wines are known for their restraint, balance, and long-lived character, just like their Burgundian cousins.

Marine Layer Wines | Sonoma Coast Purity

Location: Healdsburg, Sonoma Coast

Named after the fog that defines the Sonoma Coast, Marine Layer highlights the cool-climate magic of the region. Their approach to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay is rooted in restraint: native fermentations, minimal new oak, and a focus on purity.

The Pinot Noirs lean toward red fruit, with savory earth and spice, while the Chardonnays evoke the freshness and minerality of Burgundy’s coastal vineyards. Marine Layer is a reminder that California’s most refined wines often come from its coolest sites.

Peay Vineyards | Wines of Grace from Annapolis

Location: Annapolis, Sonoma Coast

Perched in the far north of Sonoma County, Peay Vineyards is as close to the edge of the continent as vineyards can get. The extreme coastal conditions, fog, wind, and rocky soils create wines of precision and grace.

Peay’s Pinot Noir is delicate yet complex, showing layers of red fruit, herbs, and a distinct sense of place. Their Chardonnay balances richness with tension, channeling the purity of white Burgundy. For those who seek wines of elegance and restraint, Peay is a must.

Radio-Coteau | French Inspiration, Sonoma Coast Soul

Location: Sebastopol, Sonoma Coast

Eric Sussman, founder of Radio-Coteau, draws from French traditions and a deep respect for Sonoma’s terroir. The name itself means “word of mouth” in French, a nod to the artisanal approach that guides his winemaking.

The Pinot Noir is delicate yet expressive, while the Chardonnay strikes a balance of richness and minerality. Radio-Coteau’s wines are consistently cited for their authenticity and transparency, capturing the old-world spirit in a California frame.

Small Vines | A Sommelier’s Burgundian Vision

Location: Sebastopol, Sonoma Coast

At Small Vines, the philosophy is clear: “plant less, but better.” Founder Paul Sloan, once a sommelier, was inspired by Burgundy’s vineyard traditions and spent time working in France before establishing his winery in Sonoma.

The vineyards are planted densely, in true Burgundian fashion, forcing the vines to struggle and produce concentrated, complex fruit. The wines, both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, carry precision and elegance, echoing the Côte d’Or while still being uniquely Californian.