New Napa wines, Old Napa vibes — Goosecross Cellars merges innovation with tradition. This Chardonnay is the first ever bottled from the State Lane Estate, is a bold expression of Napa’s rich history and the winery’s pioneering spirit.

At the heart of this story are Dave and Christi Ficeli — partners in life and wine — who met over a shared love of great bottles (and maybe a memorable night at Bistro Jeanty). Christi, coming from the famed Coors family, combines her business acumen (thanks to years with the Gallo family and managing her own family’s wine distributorship) with a genuine passion for hospitality and legacy. Dave is a bona fide wine veteran with an MBA who’s worked building brands at Gallo, founded a marketing agency for boutique wineries, and managed operations for Jackson Family Wines. Together, they don’t just make wine; they nurture a family legacy rooted in Napa’s history and future.

But the magic doesn’t stop there. Enter Bill Nancarrow — Goosecross’s “mad scientist” winemaker. Born in New Zealand’s Hawkes Bay, Bill’s globe-spanning journey includes fine dining management in Cape Town, vineyard stewardship near London, Burgundy amorng others.

Keen for a Northern Hemisphere crush, Bill travelled to Napa Valley in 2001 to join Duckhorn Vineyards, renowned for its Merlot. He quickly seized an assistant winemaker role, advanced to lead winemaker for sister brand Paraduxx, and by 2007 became Executive Winemaker overseeing Duckhorn’s Napa Valley portfolio.

Speaking of terroir, the Goosecross estate vineyard sits in Yountville East, where ancient riverbeds and gravelly soils create a vineyard mosaic like no other. The warm up-valley sun balanced by cool San Pablo Bay breezes gifts this Cabernet with vibrant tannins, finesse, and just the right touch of energy.

Aging: 50% aged in stainless steel tank 50% aged in French Oak, 50% New.

100% Chardonnay. A beautiful bouquet of vibrant tropical mango, summer peaches, golden pear, banana, pluots, and bergamot lemon. There is a burst of freshness and balance on the palate highlighted with bright flavors of tart green apple, pineapple, honeydew melon, kafir lime, lemon curd, and crème brulé. 

We often speak of “value” when thinking about of everyday and entry-level wines, but the term should apply at all levels, as it does here.  This is a very good, quite-complex Chardonnay for the price.  Beginning with an exotic fruitiness in the aroma that carries over to the taste, it also has plump apple and pear flavors with a touch of grapefruit to add intrigue.  It is satiny in texture with a considerable depth of flavors yet with a light, spicy finish. ~92 Roger Morris, Wine Review Online

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