Winemaker Notes
The Mae Estate vineyard is located above Highway 246, the northern corridor of the Sta. Rita Hills. Just fifteen miles from the Pacific Ocean, Mae is host to ocean winds and fog and comprised of marine sedimentary soils.
To host their Chardonnay, Tyler Winery chose the lighter soils to the western side of their property—and planted at half the density of Burgundy (two meters between rows, one meter between vines) to promote a balanced crop and to cater to organic cultivation practices.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Honeysuckle, light apple, and stone aromas that follow through to a medium to full body with bright and focused acidity with phenolic texture and a long finish. Green apple and light green mango with stone and a sense of saltiness. Very complex.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2020 Chardonnay Mae Estate begins with scents of matchstick and spicy coriander, opening to baked quince and honey. The medium-bodied palate's satiny, expansive texture is balanced by bright acidity, finishing very long and detailed. It's generous yet energetic and will benefit from a long decant.
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.