Winemaker Notes
We strive to create Chardonnays of textural purity, complexity and balance with classic tension. Complexity and balance are achieved by meticulous attention to detail in the vineyard, where each vineyard block is managed for appropriate canopy and proper yields. Tension and textural purity begin in the vineyard with low yields and balanced acidity at harvest. Native yeast fermentation in clean oak cooperage and aging on the lees aid in preserving the purity of texture. We age our wines on their lees, without racking, and constant topping. Moreover, each wine is bottled only after sufficient time in barrel to permit ideal evolution.We bottle single vineyard wines when wines from a particular vineyard express a unique character or sense of “place” and yet are complete wines of balance, harmony and interest.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
Last of the Chardonnay, the 2017 Chardonnay Rita's Crown Vineyard comes from a steep, higher elevation site located in the western part of the Sta. Rita Hills. Brought up in 40% new French oak, it has a rounded, sexy, medium to full-bodied style as well as tons of lemon butter, orchard fruits, spice, and white flower notes. With beautiful overall balance, nicely integrated acidity, hints of salinity, and a great finish, it's another brilliant effort, but there are only 200 cases produced.
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Wine Enthusiast
Clean lines of daffodil, baked nectarine, pie crust and sea salt show on the nose of this bottle from high on the appellation’s central hillside. There’s a slight tang of seared lemon on the palate alongside dried apple and turned earth flavors.
One of the most popular and versatile white wine grapes, Chardonnay offers a wide range of flavors and styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. While it tends to flourish in most environments, Chardonnay from its Burgundian homeland produces some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. California produces both oaky, buttery styles and leaner, European-inspired wines. Somm Secret—The Burgundian subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a bright style similar to the unoaked style. Anyone who doesn't like oaky Chardonnay would likely enjoy Chablis.
A superior source of California Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills is the coolest, westernmost sub-region of the larger Santa Ynez Valley appellation within Santa Barbara County. This relatively new AVA is unquestionably one to keep an eye on.
The climate of Sta. Rita Hills is a natural match for Chardonnay and Pinot noir, thanks to the crisp ocean breezes and well-drained, limestone-rich calcareous soil. Here, grapes ripen just enough, while retaining brisk acidity and harmonious balance.