2013 Chardonnay, Napa Valley

The 2013 vintage was nearly perfect, with consistent sunshine and moderate temperatures. After a wet start to winter in 2012, spring was warmer than usual, triggering an early budbreak and flowering and fruit set under sunny skies. With only one heat spike in late June/early July, Napa’s typical warm days and cool nights created wonderfully flavorful grapes. We started harvesting about two weeks earlier than usual and never seemed to stop with grapes coming in at a steady pace.

We farm all of our vineyards naturally, without artifcial pesticides or herbicides, and they are certifed organic and Biodynamic. Our Chardonnay thrives in our American Canyon and Carneros vineyards in the southern tip of Napa Valley, near San Pablo Bay, which spills into the San Francisco Bay. The cool maritime breezes and fog allow the grapes to slowly ripen to develop complex flavors while maintaining a pleasing natural acidity that is impossible to achieve in warmer areas.