Windstream Chardonnay 2018
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Inspired by the ever-present winds and fog of the Santa Lucia Highlands, Windstream embodies the best wines grown in the Riboli Family’s estate Sarmento Vineyard. This cool climate is ideal for crafting Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines that reflect the true terroir of this small but mighty winegrowing appellation in Monterey. The soils of the Santa Lucia Highlands are a geological combination of weathered granite, older marine sedimentary rocks, and volcanic rocks. Soil diversity is so extreme that vineyard blocks commonly contain several different soil types, yielding rich and dynamic flavors to the grapes. The cold, deep Monterey Bay constantly influences this region with cool winds and heavy fog.
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.
Perhaps the most highly regarded appellation within Monterey County, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA benefits from a combination of warm morning sunshine and brisk afternoon breezes, allowing grapes to ripen slowly and fully. The result is concentrated, flavorful wines that retain their natural acidity. Wineries here do not shy away from innovation, and place a high priority on sustainable viticultural practices.
The climatic conditions here are perfectly suited to the production of ripe, rich Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. These Burgundian varieties dominate an overwhelming percentage of plantings, though growers have also found success with Syrah, Riesling and Pinot Gris.