Deano packing 2014 RR Chardonnay

Introducing our intrepid new man on the bottling line — seen here in early March, riding a high of strawberry yoghurt and cheese sticks, packing our 2014 Russian River Chardonnay.

We’ll formally release this Chardonnay mid-summer, sending it to our ‘Summer Whites’ club members.  We’ll also be showing it ‘pre-release’ at the SF Vintner’s Market in April and at SF Pinot Days in June.

For fans of our previous vintages of Chardonnay, the 2014 will not disappoint: another cool native ferment in neutral oak, no additions, bottled unfiltered.  This Chardonnay, we think, is a real homage to what Chardonnay from Russian River can be.  It was a warm growing season, and we picked just after Labor Day at 22.4 brix; the alcohol finished a hair higher than in 2013 at 13.2%.   Initial tastes of this wine show fantastic aromas, and perhaps more concentration than 2013.  I attribute this mainly to smaller, more concentrated berries in this vineyard in 2014, as well as better nutrient levels leading to a less stressful wild ferment.

Another shot of Dean Wait below packing our 2014 Green Valley Rosé.    Rosé?!  Yes indeed, our first, more on that soon!

Deano packing 2014 Green Valley Rose!