Vibrant on the nose, our 2016 Vintner Select Chardonnay expresses lively aromas of green apple, melon, quince, lilac, starfruit and pear. On the palate, it balances roundness and richness against bright acidity and a clean refreshing character, which is the textural goal we aim for each year.

Three blocks of grapes grown at the top of our Spring Mountain Estate make up this wine, with each block contributing to its complexity. 50% is sourced from our oldest block, planted thirteen years ago to clone 4, 40% comes from a six-year old block planted to the Burgundy selection clone 96, and the remaining 10% is obtained from a five-year old block planted to the California heritage Wente clone. The grapes are harvested at night, gently pressed to French oak barrels (25% new), fermented, and then aged on the lees with weekly stirring for nine months with periodic stirring of the lees. A partial malolactic fermentation is conducted, then arrested at 30% completion.