2022 Reference Chardonnay

DESCRIPTION

Our Reference Chardonnay is fermented and aged in oak barrels coopered from forests throughout Europe. The flavors from these different oak types combine with the ripe tropical fruit characters of Chardonnay to make a wonderfully rich and complex wine.

WINEMAKING NOTES

Reference Chardonnay is fermented and aged in oak barrels coopered from forests throughout Europe for 8 months.

VINEYARD NOTES

Reference Chardonnay is harvested August 4-19, 2022 from Carter Estate and Wild Horse Peak Vineyards. Carter Estate Vineyards is a 62-acre vineyard located in the Temecula Valley. Early morning influence of the Pacific Ocean flows through the coastal mountain range, spilling cool morning clouds and marine layer over the valley. This cooling influence allows the grapes to retain their acid as the clouds burn off, making way for the warm summer sun that allows the ripening process to continue. These are ideal conditions for making crisp white wines and well structured sparkling wines. Vines are VSP trained; a trellising technique that allows for optimum sun exposure. This vineyard has soils of loam, sandy loam and decomposed granite which are good for grapevine growth with its mixture of sand, silt and clay. It can drain effectively but also keeps nutrients and water available for the vines. A cover crop of pea, barley, bean and vetch is planted between the rows in the winter months to keep our soils healthy, retain water and suppress weeds. Wild Horse Peak Vineyards is a 125-acre vineyard located on the Palomar Mountain range bordering the Cleveland National Forest. These vineyards are at elevations of 2,100 to 2,300 ft. The high elevation and wide diurnal range that this vineyard experiences are ideal conditions to grow many red varietals. Cool nights and mornings turn into warm daytime temperatures and allow the grapes to ripen slowly, retaining their acid and accumulating sugar. This intensifies their varietal characteristics for prominent aromas and flavors. This vineyard has soils of loam, sandy loam and decomposed granite which are good for grapevine growth with its mixture of sand, silt and clay. It can drain effectively but also keeps nutrients and water available for the vines. This vineyard is irrigated from our reservoir that depends on Southern California winter rains that can fall between December and March. We maintain a balance with this ecosystem of chaparral and oak woodland of the surrounding area by allowing native plants to grow between the grapevine rows and throughout the surrounding vineyard area. The variety of animals, birds and insects that can be seen in the vineyard area are an indication to the healthy ecosystem that we are a part of.