BigHammerWines.com

2023 Carneros Chardonnay was sourced from estate blocks planted in 2013 and 2016, blending Wente, Côte d'Or, and Mt. Eden clones. Fermented primarily with native yeast in French oak — with a small percentage in concrete — and aged undisturbed for 16 months without lees stirring, this is a wine built for texture, freshness, and complexity in equal measure. Only 537 cases were produced.

Established in 2001 in the rolling hills of Sonoma’s Carneros region, Donum Estate has crafted its reputation on a simple belief: exceptional wines begin with an unwavering respect for the land. Every acre is farmed with intention, every vine nurtured with precision, and every decision rooted in sustainability.

Donum brings to life a rare harmony between fine wine, regenerative agriculture, and world-renowned contemporary art.

The Donum Collection, founded in 2011, is housed within The Donum Estate, one of the world’s largest private sculpture collections. Spanning over 200 acres, the estate features more than 60 monumental works, including site-specific commissions, displayed throughout the vineyards. The collection brings together renowned artists from 18 countries, with iconic pieces by figures such as Louise Bourgeois, celebrated for her Guggenheim sculptures; Fernando Botero, known for his larger-than-life depictions in Colombian art; and Yayoi Kusama, famous for her mesmerizing polka-dot installations. The fusion of art, wine, and land makes The Donum Estate a visually stunning and internationally recognized destination for collectors, travelers, and wine lovers.

Their philosophy is uncompromising. Donum farms to low yields to capture the purest expression of each site, channeling the vineyard’s energy and character into fruit of extraordinary concentration.

In the cellar, only the finest barrels make the cut, shaping wines that are rich yet impeccably balanced, layered yet refined, powerful yet elegant. The result is a portfolio of limited-production, critically acclaimed wines that consistently deliver remarkable depth and distinction.

As Wine Enthusiast notes, “Among the finest estates in Carneros, Donum is already a can’t-miss producer for many. But there’s an additional draw beyond its stunning Pinot Noir and Chardonnay: a world-class outdoor sculpture garden with works from Ai Weiwei, Anselm Kiefer, Louise Bourgeois, Richard Hudson, Keith Haring, and many others.”

Donum isn’t just a winery—it’s an experience, where art, earth, and craftsmanship come together to create something unforgettable.