7 to Try: Domestic Rhône-Style White Wines

Plenty of European grape varieties have made their way stateside to become just as well-associated with their adopted regions—think California Chardonnay or Oregon Pinot Noir. And while the grapes of France’s southern Rhône Valley may be less well-known by name, they’re finding an increasing foothold in the U.S. among winemakers who recognize their potential in a warming world to craft wines with brightness and structure. In our May/June issue, wine writer Amy Beth Wright explores the delicious potential being tapped by wineries from California’s Central Coast to the Texas Hill Country as they go all-in on southern Rhône-style white wines.

Tablas Creek Vineyard 2023 Esprit de Tablas Blanc

Tablas Creek Vineyard in Paso Robles was an early adopter of southern Rhône varieties, working with an estate in Châteauneuf-de-Pape to begin planting the grapes in the mid-’90s. They’ve since become a benchmark for the style, and the Esprit de Tablas Blanc is their flagship white blend. Comprised of almost half Roussanne and rounded out with Grenache Blanc, Picpoul Blanc, Bourboulenc, Picardan, and Clairette Blanche, the wine is both structured and fresh, with the richness of honeycomb and crème brûlée lifted with the brightness of green apple, fresh herbs, and a gentle minerality. $75

Ridge 2024 Grenache Blanc

In California’s Santa Cruz Mountains, an area long-dominated by Chardonnay, Ridge Vineyards appreciates the ability of Grenache Blanc to adapt well to increasing temperatures. Their 2024 Grenache Blanc uses the grape for 85 percent of the Rhône blend, with 12 percent Picpoul Blanc and a dash of Roussanne. The result is an extremely drinkable, medium-bodied white with honeysuckle and citrus blossom florals on the nose, stone fruit on the palate, and a fresh, zippy acidity. $33.97

Acquiesce 2024 Bourboulenc

A personal fan of southern Rhône-style white wines, winemaker Susan Tipton began replanting her vineyards in California’s Central Valley in 2008, eventually planting nine Rhône varieties. Today, her acclaimed winery Acquiesce, specializes in the style. And while the tradition in southern Rhône is to blend wines, Tipton believes the grapes also shine as single varietals. Acquiesce was the first winery in the States to plant Bourboulenc, a late-ripening variety known for maintaining its acidity. With gentle florals and juicy fruit notes of melon and kumquat, the wine’s richer qualities are kept in line by the firm acidity and a crisp finish. $37

Saviah 2024 Viognier

At Saviah Cellars in the Walla Walla Valley of southeast Washington, the warm, semi-arid climate isn’t the only thing they have in common with the southern Rhône. Saviah’s house Viognier comes from estate plantings in both Walla Walla and The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater—a small AVA that’s rife with river stones, much like the southern Rhône’s famously rocky soil. The single-varietal wine is pressed on whole clusters and fermented in a concrete egg, resulting in a richly structured wine that maintains freshness with aromas of jasmine and flavors of white peach, lemon zest, and pear, with a crisp, stony finish. $35

Troon Vineyard 2024 Druid’s White Blend

When Troon Vineyard in southern Oregon’s Applegate Valley began replanting grape varieties in 2018 to move toward biodynamic farming, they selected eight white Rhône varieties for their hardy potential in continually warming weather. As per Rhône tradition, they vinify most of the grapes in blends, and their Druid’s White Blend varies by the vintage. The 2024 release is predominantly Grenache Blanc along with a blend of Bourboulenc, Roussanne, Vermentino, Clairette Blanche, Picpoul Blanc. The medium-bodied biodynamic-certified wine features florals and honey on the nose and flavors of ripe orchard fruit and citrus zest. $30

McPherson Les Copains 2024

In the Texas High Plains AVA, winemaker Kim McPherson notes how well the grapes of the southern Rhône work in the hot, dry, and windy Texas weather. Their Les Copains is an easy-drinking white blend with Roussanne, Viognier, Marsanne, and Picpoul. Perfect for a warm summer day, the wine is bright with lemon and citrus blossom, juicy flavors of passion fruit, and a dry, minerally finish. $26

Ab Astris 2023 Clairette Blanche

At Ab Astris, in the Texas Hill Country, winemaker Mike Nelson leans on southern Rhône varieties for their hardiness in the AVA’s often extreme weather. For their single-varietal Clairette Blanche, the wine ferments and ages in a combination of neutral oak barrels and stainless steel, to accent body and mouthfeel. Expect a creamy, medium-bodied wine with a through line of acidity and notes of lemongrass and honeydew melon. $36