Location: Santa Cruz Mountains
Alcohol: 13%

Prominent earth aromas of dust and rock show on the nose as tinges of lemon syrup and honeysuckle add depth. The palate is mineral driven as well, with a tightly wound structure that presents flavors of lime peel, lemon pith and slightly underripe slices of pineapple.

Pressed directly to stainless steel tank to settle for 24 hours. The wine was racked off solids and into stainless steel tank where natural fermentation occurred. Fermentation to dryness took 11 days then the wine was racked into neutral french oak for malolactic fermentation.

Established in 1980, this 16 acre dry-farmed vineyard is nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains near the coastal town of Aptos. The site sits at 750 feet above sea level and has well-draining sandy loam soil. The vineyard was planted to Wente Chardonnay and its proximity to the sea (less than 4 miles inland) assures the grapes receive the cooling influence of the Monterey Bay.