VINEYARDS
Our Estate Chardonnay captures the vibrant, complex and classic character of our estate-grown grapes in the Chalk Hill AVA of Sonoma County. We are dedicated to making exceptional Chardonnay, and no detail is overlooked. In the vineyard, focused planting of the ideal clone on each vineyard block, managing yields for optimum ripeness and balance, and the work of a dedicated crew are among the keys to our success.
WINEMAKING
Chardonnay is a winemaker’s grape, molded into its most interesting self by native yeast fermentation and aging in carefully chosen French oak barrels and frequent lees stirring. It is a labor-intensive wine, but the rewards are most certainly worth the hard work and attention. The 2020 vintage was a dry growing season, with only a few spring showers, but we had good fruit-set and cluster development.
The 2021 Estate Chardonnay is made with nine different clones on the estate, including our very own Chalk Hill Proprietary Chardonnay Clone 97, to provide aromatic and flavor profile differences, balanced acidity and creamy texture.