Jill Russell is the winemaker at Cambria Estate Winery in Santa Maria, California, whose estate in Santa Barbara County has perfect growing conditions for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
We spoke with Jill for our Women Winemakers Q&A series about what being an estate winery means for her winemaking, a harvest in the Loire Valley and Cambria's Katherine's Vineyard Chardonnay.
Estate Winemaking and the Loire Valley
How does being an estate property impact your approach to winemaking?
We are lucky that our estate is situated in Santa Barbara County, with perfect growing conditions for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Ultimately being estate means we can have as close to total control over the process as possible. We get to affect farming decisions, when to pick, blending, aging and bottling. From grape to glass!
What's one thing people wouldn't know or expect about your path to becoming a winemaker?
One of my winemaking positions was in the Loire Valley for harvest. My winemaking experience there helped shape my perspective and made me feel a part of the international winemaking community.
Katherine's Vineyard Chardonnay
The 2017 Katherine's Vineyard Chardonnay made Wine Spectator's Top 100 this year. In a few words, how would you describe the magic of this wine?
Balanced fruit, acidity and salinity.
Shop Cambria Wines
Jill sums up Cambria's Katherine's Vineyard Chardonnay in a few words: balanced fruit, acidity and salinity.
Santa Maria Valley, Central Coast, California ● Chardonnay
92 James Suckling
91 Wine Spectator
$22
$17.97
Why we picked it
Katherine's Vineyard Chardonnay, from the Santa Barbara County estate where Jill Russell makes wine for Cambria. Its 2017 vintage made Wine Spectator's Top 100. Rated 92 points.
