Wine Description & Statistics
2011 Chardonnay
Winemaker Bruce McGuire was able to travel throughout western Santa Barbara County choosing several vineyards (including Scheid Vineyard up in Monterey County) for this multi-vineyard blend.
These vineyards meet Bruce's standards for viticultural practices and growing conditions suitable to make this full-bodied yet eminently approachable Chardonnay.
All the grapes for this wine were pressed as whole clusters and 56% of the wine fermented in stainless steel without undergoing malolactic fermentation. These two steps lend brightness to the fruit intensity that then integrates with the mouth pleasing weight and supple flavors enhanced by barrel fermentation.
Our Santa Barbara County Chardonnay is a good all around choice to satisfy a wide variety of foods. With enough structure to age for five to six years, we think this wine is most enjoyable three years after the vintage year.
This is truly a Santa Barbara County blend from warmer Santa Ynez Valley to the cooler Santa Rita Hills.
Winemaker's comments: Picked over a 6 week period from 6 different vineyards the result is a complex and bright wine.
Suggested retail: 15.00
pdf statistics | Bottle pdf 300dpi | Label 300dpi
HARVEST
Dates: Sept. 21-Nov. 9, 2011
Sugar: 23.1-24.9 Brix
VINEYARDS
Hilltop Ranch 30%
Los Alamos 28%
Scheid 22%
Sierra Madre 10%
Thompson 6%
Lafond 4%
WINE
Barrels: 44% barrel
fermented in a mix of French
and Hungarian puncheons
Remainder fermented
in Stainless Steel
Total Acid: .67
pH: 3.34
Alcohol: 13.7%
Date Bottled: June, July 2012
Production: 18,250 cases
Dates: Sept. 21-Nov. 9, 2011
Sugar: 23.1-24.9 Brix
VINEYARDS
Hilltop Ranch 30%
Los Alamos 28%
Scheid 22%
Sierra Madre 10%
Thompson 6%
Lafond 4%
WINE
Barrels: 44% barrel
fermented in a mix of French
and Hungarian puncheons
Remainder fermented
in Stainless Steel
Total Acid: .67
pH: 3.34
Alcohol: 13.7%
Date Bottled: June, July 2012
Production: 18,250 cases