Winemaker Notes
This Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay comes from estate vineyards and captures the essence of this exceptional land. Gently whole cluster pressed and barrel fermented in French oak, this Chardonnay's white flowers and lemon peel accents are bright, gracious, and finely sclupted.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
Rich and succulent, with perfectly ripe peach, nectarine and melon notes, this features a clean thread of acidity alongside details of orange blossoms, honeysuckle and crushed rock minerality. Shows nutty and spicy hints on the finish. Drink now. 3,371 cases made.
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Jeb Dunnuck
The appellation 2021 Chardonnay Sta. Rita Hills reveals a medium gold hue as well as a layered, medium-bodied profile carrying quality citrus, tangerine, and honeyed flower aromas and flavors. It's medium-bodied, round, nicely balanced, and supple, with a charming style that's a joy to drink.
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.