Growing Conditions

Vine selection for our Hyde Vineyard wines are old Wente, Robert Young and Long Vineyards each a Wente selection themselves – ranging in age from 13 to 32 years old. The Wente produces a classic, Burgundian-style wine without the tropical fruit tones of some California Chardonnays. The Long Vineyards selection adds a floral note, and the Hyde Vineyard wines often seem charming and feminine. High natural acidity plays a prominent role.

If the 2010 vintage was cool, the 2011 vintage was cold. We didn’t start harvesting Chardonnay until the end of September. This vintage displays the richness of fully mature fruit coupled with crisp, refreshing acidity.

Bottling

It was then bottled without filtration.

Winemaking

We press whole grape clusters for phenolic delicacy. Native-yeast and full native
malolactic fermentation take place in barrel, with sur lies bâtonnage.

Aging

After aging 18 months in 30% new François Frères French oak barrels, this
Chardonnay was fined and settled in tank.