Winemaker Notes

A brilliant golden hue. Aromatics of ripe purity with aromas of dried yellow orchard fruit and hints of the exotic along with soft floral nuances including honeysuckle, pear, and tropical notes with of earthiness. On the palate, perfectly balanced oak intended as the backbone allowing the natural clonal flavors to speak open­ly with notes of yellow pear and ripe apple, white flowers and sweet citrus. An elegant balanced wine of bright lively acidity, revealing herself upfront, ending with a penetrating minerality and an elongated gentle opulent finish.

Climate and Harvest

2011 was a year like no other. A challenging year where your natural winegrowing wisdom was challenged to the extreme. Mother Nature handed us obstacles. We might even call them steep accents. We will say it was a difficult year - and quite simply more challenging than others. The true test as a great winegrower is where instinct not the written rules is your ultimate guide.

Untimely rains in early Spring affected bloom set resulting in lower crop yields. We were managing the weak shoots, leaf and green (veraison) thinning earlier. A cool, mild summer with temperatures of 80 degrees (normal temperatures = 95) and overcast of fog held throughout these months. The cool temperatures extended the growing season which allowed the grapes to ripen slowJy. Then late September arrived with more rains and the Chardonnay was harvested quickJy. Harvest was two weeks later than usual with an end result of ripe, aromatic flavors of bright minerality and fruit flavors which were delightfully exquisite after such a rough ride.

As winemakers, our intention is to reveal the true character of our land through the variations of clones. This year was similar to others where the soils of Garden Creek spoke. Pre-fermentation maturations over two days in stainless tanks allowed the skins to soften releasing soft tannins and mineral richness. Slow, cool fermentations of soft gentle stirring of the lees in French Oak barrels and entirely driven by each barrel. Once primary was complete, malolactic was stopped earJy creating a soft roundness to the overall vintage. Barrel aging of 12 months thereafter.