Winemaker Notes
As one of the pioneers of California's Wine Industry, the Parducci family has been devoted to handcrafting premium Mendocino County wines for over 70 years. They source only the finest grapes from dedicated growers and strive to enhance what nature has provided and produce wines of distinction. Their dedication to excellence builds on the family's four generations of experience and expertise. "We make wine that gets people to ask for a second glass” -Rich Parducci.
Once known as the McNab Ranch, the property was originally homesteaded in 1868, by Alexander McNab, a Scottish immigrant. The original property consisted of thousands of acres of land, including the McNab Valley where our winery now stands. Nestled at the back of the valley, McNab Ridge is surrounded by some of the finest vineyards in Mendocino County.
Rich Parducci is a fourth-generation winemaker. His great grandfather Adolph Parducci founded Parducci Winery in 1932. He entered the industry at age 12 and has worked in almost every facet of the industry, from bottling, vineyard, laboratory to cellar. A 1992 graduate of California State University Fresno in Enology, Rich brings a cutting-edge approach which compliments his heritage and the previous generation’s traditional winemaking style. An award-winning winemaker, he makes wines in his own unique style and finds a way to honor his grandfather’s history at the same time.
California’s most praised white wine, Chardonnay is also the state’s most planted white grape variety. Diverse terrain and microclimates allow for an incredible range of wine styles.
Chardonnay planted in the cooler, coastal zones takes on bright characteristics like lemon zest, key lime, green apple and wet flint. For this style, look to the chilly Sonoma Coast, Carneros, Santa Cruz Mountains, Santa Lucia Highlands and Edna Valley.
The inland zones of California’s coast, such as the Russian River, Sonoma, Napa and Livermore Valleys maintain a more Goldilocks-esque climate where both styles go. Early picking retains acidity and creates a leaner style but leaving the grapes to hang creates an approachable Chardonnay, balancing richness and finesse.
Chardonnay also plays a major part in the sparkling wine production of the Anderson Valley and Carneros.