2002 Chardonnay - Santa Barbara County / Bien Nacido Vineyard
VINTAGEThese grapes were hand harvested on October 9th, 2002 with an average sugar content of 23.4 degrees brix, .85 gm/100 ml total titratable acidity and 3.27 pH.
WINEMAKER'S NOTES
Bien Nacido Vineyard in Santa Barbara County’s Santa Maria Valley is our only grape source outside of Sonoma County. The opportunity to produce cool climate Chardonnay with a very different (but highly desirable) flavor profile to our Russian River Valley Chardonnay proved irresistible especially considering the grapes originate from one of the finest sections of their vineyard.
Similar to our own Russian River Valley climate, the Santa Maria Valley provides an avenue for the fog and marine influence to dramatically cool the region during the late spring and summer months, making it a perfect location for growing superior Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes.