2016
Chardonnay
Russian River Valley
Sophia’s Vineyard

Winemaker Notes

This elegant, multi-layered Chardonnay has pitch perfect balance between its acidity and creamy texture. Intertwined in the palate are sweet spice, honey, tangerine oil, and a classic river stone minerality. The mouthfeel has an amazing polish, presence, and viscosity that finishes perfectly focused, leaving a persistent impression on the palate.

VINOUS Review
by Antonio Galloni

The 2016 Chardonnay Sophia’s Vineyard is creamy, ample and super-expressive. Orange peel, butter, honey, almond and chamomile all flesh out in the glass. This is an especially racy, flamboyant style, the wine’s mid-weight frame notwithstanding, and yet there is plenty of energy underpinning it all. – 91 pts.

Production Notes

Winemaker – Robbie Meyer
Production: 150 cases
Russian River Appellation
Located near Graton
Elevation 700 feet
Vine Age – 40+ years
Goldridge Soils
Gentle North Facing Slope
Harvested in September 2016
Malolactic Fermentation
Barrel Fermented
Wild Yeast Fermentation
40% New French Oak
Barrel Aged 14 Months (sur lees)
Bottled in December 2017

Sophia’s Vineyard

Warren Dutton planted this 7 acre vineyard in the 1970s using the Old Wente Clone without rootstock. Located near Graton, the well drained Goldridge soil has kept these vines healthy and productive. On a gentle north facing slope that protects the fruit from the hot afternoon sun, the vines are trained on a vertical trellis (VSP).