Winemaker Notes
2017 saw the first significant winter rains in some time, with extreme deluges in January and February. Despite the rain, vigor was normal due to a cool spring. Poor weather at set lead to a smaller than average crop. Summer was warm, even hot at times, but in most evenings, the cool down allowed grapes to retain acidity. August days were relatively even. Unfortunately, a massive Labor Day heatwave sent the mercury soaring over 110 for several days in early September. We managed to carefully pick around the heat; some grapes were picked before, while others were held until the plants could rebalance. The ability to selectively pick was crucial in producing wines with plenty of natural acidity and structure, which we were pleased to accomplish.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
Leading off the Chardonnays, the 2017 Chardonnay Sta. Rita Hills comes from multiple sites in the Sta. Rita Hills and was aged 15 months in 10% new French oak. It offers a classic Burgundian style in its ripe buttered orchard fruits, brioche, and toasty oak aromas and flavors, yet has plenty of classic Sta. Rita Hills salinity and minerality. Rounded and nicely textured, with good acidity, drink it over the coming 4-6 years.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2017 Chardonnay Sta. Rita Hills is savory on the nose, with aromas of honey-drizzled apples, wet hay, pastry crust, earth and hazelnut plus citrus sparks. The medium-bodied palate gives good intensity and lots of energy from the tangy acidity, finishing long and refreshing.
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.