Growing Conditions

Coming from these two special vineyard sites, our Sonoma Coast Chardonnays show great depth of flavor, length of finish, aromatic complexity, and a fine balance between richness and delicacy. These two vineyards have typically cool climates, low vigor soil, and a vine selection that generate small berries, small clusters and inherently low yields.

Winter 2015 was the warmest on record, resulting in early budbreak. Cooler, wetter weather in spring months slowed development, however, leading to a challenging, extended bloom period. The resulting uneven fruit set translated to a small crop and smaller berries with very concentrated flavors. Weather throughout the summer growing season was consistently warm, bringing on a very early harvest.

Bottling

Bottled without filtration in January, 2017.

Winemaking

We press the fruit whole cluster for delicacy. Native-yeast and full native malolactic fermentation take place in barrel, with sur lies bâtonnage.

Aging

After aging 12 months in 17% new French oak barrels (François Frères and Taransaud Burgundy), the Chardonnay was traditionally fined for clarity and texture during the following harvest.