Poundstone is a family owned and operated winery producing award winning wines from the Carneros region of Sonoma and Napa Valley. With their recent win of double gold and 96 points at the 2020 Sommeliers Choice Awards, this chardonnay has become a must add white for sommeliers.

They specialize in small batch Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Working with top growers including the Sangiacomo family, ensures the grapes are grown using sustainable farming practices, contributing to the value and quality of the wines.

Poundstone is a women-run winery honoring the family’s multiple generations of Northern California farmers. Poundstone was inspired by proprietor Melody Meckfessel’s grandmothers. Matriarchs, Jessie Doris Poundstone and Eula Marie Johnson, were instrumental in running the family ranches, farming the land and modeling the way to be strong, nurturing leaders.

Melody is the heart of Poundstone, pouring her expertise and love into all aspects of the business. She leads the family in fruit selection, winemaking, operations, and sales. A software engineer by training, Melody brings a bit of art and science to the creation of Poundstone wines. Her approach is centered on responsible farming, engineering experimentation, and a strong family tradition. ​ In 2007, Melody purchased a 4.0 acre vineyard in Carneros where she made her first wines, estate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. ​​ Melody is also a CEO and co-founder of a software company. She is a proud mom and studied history and biology at UC Berkeley. Go bears!

2017 Sangiacomo Chardonnay won 96 points, double gold medal at the 2020 Sommeliers Choice Awards and comes highly recommended by sommeliers and wine directors. Poundstone is a family-owned and operated winery producing award-winning wines from the Carneros region of Sonoma and Napa Valley.

Poundstone’s Sangiacomo Chardonnay grows in the Catarina vineyard located in the Carneros region of Sonoma. The location of this vineyard enables the grapes to mature slowly and evenly while maintaining a vibrant acidity. The Robert Young clone (clone 17) thrives in this area of Sonoma. 

Poundstone’s Sangiacomo Chardonnay tends toward a northern Chablis style of food friendly, high acidity mouthfeel, with balanced flavors. The Chardonnay is partially fermented in a cool tank to let the natural esters remain and retain as much fruit as possible. The wine is finished in barrel and stainless drum allowing for full lees contact and fractional barrel fermentation. It is aged on the lees, stirred bi-monthly and bottled after 9 months to retain the freshness and brightness.

The wine has floral aromas accented by citrus, pineapple, pear and vanilla. This is a bright Chardonnay with flavors of pear, apple, vanilla, and honeysuckle with vibrant acidity on the palate. The wine finishes beautifully with notes of vanilla emanating from the subtle oak integration.

Poundstone’s Pinot Noir comes from a small family-run vineyard located in the southern part of Carneros in Napa Valley. A combination of four clones - Pommard, 115, 777 and Calera, make for a pure and clean expression of Pinot Noir. Each clone is aged separately and blended together after ten months. This approach allows us to create a blend that best represents the terroir.

This Pinot Noir has aromas accented by raspberries, strawberries, plum and rose. There is a spicy complexity to the fruit, with tender notes of vanilla and toast. The mouthfeel is full and rich with flavors of apple, plum, spice and cherry.  

Sommeliers and Wine Directors can contact for sampling and pricing:

Cristen Mann -

Cell: (415)484-9432

Email: cristen@poundstonewines.com

They offer and encourage on site staff training/tastings to familiarize the team with their wines and their background.  Sommeliers and buyers have access to their personal cell phones for any questions or needs.