The fruit was hand-picked, whole cluster pressed, settled for 24 hours then racked to barrel for fermentation. 15% of the lot was co-inoculated with a house strain of malolactic  bacteria–these barrels are then used to top the remainder of the lot post primary fermentation.

NOSE: Lemon blossom, apple, white peach, and subtle barrel spice notes. PALATE: Crisp pear, tangerine and lemon custard flavors are pure and focused with mineral undertones and a juicy, yet balanced acidity.

Sonoma County had an excellent growing season in 2021. A relatively dry winter exacerbated drought conditions and resulted in a much lighter crop compared to average. Spring was relatively cold and peppered with freeze events both pre and post bud break. A warm dry summer provided ideal growing and ripening conditions mostly in the absence of extreme heat spells. The heat did arrive early to mid-August and drove early ripening in the Russian River valley Valleys. Our 2021 Saralee’s Vineyard Chardonnay harvest began on September 1st.

• Aging: 100% French Oak, 27% new for 9 months
• R.S.:0.7 g/L
• pH: 3.24
• Total Acidity: 5.6 g/L
• Alcohol: 13.5%
• Bottling Date: August 1, 2022