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Specialty Cellars
The Wine
A classic CA Chardonnay from the cool, fog‑laden pockets of western RRV, where you'll find lots of Goldridge loam soils - a light, sandy, marine‑derived soil valued for its good drainage (forcing deeper root growth) and moderate vigor (amplifying the grape's natural flavors).
The region's combination of fog and Goldridge soils give shape to the wine: ripe orchard fruit and lemon curd held in check by freshness, a subtle salinity, and a clean mineral line. The 2023 vintage in RRV was balanced and even, producing Chardonnays with bright acidity and well‑defined fruit.
Little Boat ferments and ages in French oak (mostly used), to add some desired texture without the heaviness brought by newer oak barrels. The result is a polished, medium‑bodied Chardonnay showing pear, apple, Meyer lemon, white flowers, and gentle vanilla, finishing with lift rather than weight.
Pairings: roast chicken, seared scallops, crab, salmon, and creamy pasta with herbs. Cheese‑wise, reach for our Alpine‑style Challerhocker, Mt. Tam, or a lightly aged Gouda.
The Winery
Little Boat is the personal project of winemaker José “Pepe” Galante and proprietor Mark Tarlov, created to highlight small, carefully farmed vineyard parcels across Sonoma.
Tarlov’s background in film and storytelling informs the brand’s ethos: wines meant to be expressive, transparent, and tied to place rather than to formula. Galante brings deep experience with site‑specific winemaking, focusing on gentle handling, native fermentations, and restrained oak.
The team works closely with growers who farm some of RRV’s most respected Chardonnay sites, many of them family‑run vineyards passed down through generations. Little Boat’s identity is rooted in collaboration between growers, winemaker, and proprietor aligned around crafting wines that feel handcrafted, precise, and unmistakably Russian River Valley.
The brand was built for the on‑premise fine‑dining world, especially chef‑driven tasting‑menu restaurants in New York, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles. Tarlov’s earlier projects (Evening Land, Chapter 24, Maison L’Envoyé) were heavily adopted by Michelin‑starred programs, and Little Boat follows the same distribution model: tiny allocations, sommelier‑focused placements, and wines crafted for pairing flexibility. Sommeliers often cite Little Boat’s restrained alcohol, clean fruit, and subtle oak as reasons it fits tasting‑menu service.
