Winemaker Notes
The grapes for this Sparkling Chenin Blanc are sourced from the Wilson Vineyard just south of Clarksburg, in the Sacramento River Delta. Over the last several years, the Wilson family has converted this parcel of Chenin Blanc at the Woods Ranch over to organic farming. The vines were planted in 1998 and the hallmark of the site is electric acidity and a distinct minerality.
Maître de Chai employed a short élevage with the intention of producing an approachable American sparkling wine and to showcase the versatility of Chenin Blanc in California.
Representing the topmost expression of a Champagne house, a vintage Champagne is one made from the produce of a single, superior harvest year. Vintage Champagnes account for a mere 5% of total Champagne production and are produced about three times in a decade. Champagne is typically made as a blend of multiple years in order to preserve the house style; these will have non-vintage, or simply, NV on the label. The term, "vintage," as it applies to all wine, simply means a single harvest year.
The vineyards just inland from the Sacramento River Delta, along the deep banks of the Sacramento River, comprise the Clarksburg AVA. The River Delta channels in cold air and fog from the Pacific Ocean creating a cooling effect in this area. Warm summer days quickly change to chilly evenings and make a great environment for grape growing. While a range of grape varieties grow here, Chenin blanc stands out the most, distinguishing itself in the appellation.
The Clarksburg Wine Growers and Vintners Association, made up of nearly 50 grower members and over a dozen wineries, has been working since the late 1980s to promote the high quality wine of its region.