2023 Oak Farm Chardonnay

Winemaker Notes

This Chardonnay was harvested early in the morning from Elk Vineyards in the Mokelumne River Sub AVA. The grapes were quickly whole-cluster pressed upon arrival to the winery. 48 hours later the juice was racked into a stainless-steel tank where the fermentation started. Towards the end of the fermentation, part of the wine was transferred into oak barrels for aging (to get more structure and complexity) , while the rest remained in tank (to maintain freshness and liveliness). With only 18% new oak and full malolactic fermentation, the wine was then blended and bottled after 10 months of aging.

Wine Enthusiast Guide

This well-balanced and wonderfully concentrated wine starts out quietly with subtle pear and baking spice aromas, then blossoms on the palate with expansive poached pear, honey and vanilla notes. It's rich in texture, full in body but lifted by good acidity.