This week we are picking Chardonnay from our neighbor, Hilltop Ranch. Hilltop Ranch has 32 acres of Chardonnay which we have purchased for many years. As a good neighbor, we go through their property to access our vineyard on the north side of the river. This is an older vineyard, close to 30 years, and it has been upgraded in the past few years using a modern trellis system producing an excellent fruit.
Since they do not pick at night their second picking, about 7 tons, is stored in our large walk-in cooler overnight, while the first load picked early, also 7 tons, is processed at the winery.
All our white wines are made at the Santa Barbara Winery which as an urban winery poses unique problems but also advantages. The main problem, of course, is traffic but the advantages — services, power and delivery — compensate.
The slideshow — from picking to pressing. You can enlarge the image by clicking it (it may take a little practice).
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2006 Reserve Chardonnay
The Santa Rita Hills of the western Santa Ynez Valley is an area were local geography influences the climate to create conditions unusually well suited for growing world class Chardonnay. We give this wine a “reserve” designation because these grapes are harvested from distinct soil types and Chardonnay clones that yield the greatest flavor concentration and fruit intensity. The resulting wine is full-bodied and richly textured with complexity of flavor further enhanced by barrel fermentation.
Three to five years of bottle aging allows the wine to open up and show off well-integrated flavors. In 2006, Winemaker Bruce McGuire honed in on the Wente Clone blocks from our Lafond Vineyard our neighbor, Hill Top Ranch and the old Sanford and Benedict Vineyard just down Santa Rosa Road. Planted thirty years ago, one of the Lafond lots is 30% of the total blend and contributes aromatics and texture.
The other two vineyards were planted in the 1970’s in sand and gravel. These low vigor lots afford the wine great concentration and fruit. We find this full-bodied style to be an ideal match with hearty, rich foods like salmon, pork roast, and of course, lobster.
1321 cases produced
Suggested Retail 22.00
To order from the web.
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