2017 Russian River Chardonnay

Our 2017 Russian River Chardonnay is made from 100% hand-picked, hand-sorted fruit from the Inspiration Vineyard along Olivet Road in the Russian River AVA, Sonoma County, California.

We picked this Chardonnay at 22.5 brix to retain lively acids and temper alcohol, in pursuit of a natural expression of the block. The lot was pressed whole cluster to neutral oak barrels, then cool-fermented through winter via resident, wild yeast.

The winter of 2017-2018 was relatively mild and the secondary fermentation completed naturally in mid January.  It was stirred regularly through this period, conditioned sur lie thereafter, then racked gently and bottled in late March.  This wine received no additives or other manipulations beyond minimal SO2 at the crusher and prior to bottling.

The result is a graceful, transcendent Russian River Chardonnay: bursting with stone fruit and biscuit aromas, apple and citrus flavors, gently layering over a backbone of crisp, table-friendly acids.

Production: 175 cases
Release: Summer 2018
Varietal: Chardonnay, clone 17
ABV: 13.5%
Soil: Huichica, Yolo sandy loams
Crush: Hand harvest, hand sort, whole cluster, gentle champagne press
Ferment: Neutral oak barrels; long, cool, native ferment
Wood: 6 months elevage sur lie, battonage, neutral oak
Aromas: Pear, mango
Palate:  Apples, citrus, heather

Download: SELL SHEET, TECH SHEET

Back to Wines