Spring 2025 Club Collection
2024 Estate Chardonnay – Inox Clone 76
Small Lot Collection – Sta. Rita Hills
378 cases produced
Crisp and fresh chardonnay in its purest form.
Our stainless-steel fermented Inox Chardonnay was handcrafted from Clone 76, hailing from Block A’s extreme and inhospitable environment on the west side of our estate. Planted in well-drained, sandy soil, these vines receive a direct hit from the cold Pacific Ocean wind. It is essential to farm this area with a deep respect and understanding, as the low-yielding vines deliver a tiny amount of super-concentrated, high-quality fruit that naturally ripens at lower sugar levels, ideal for this “naked” style (no oak and no oxygen). Hand-harvested at night, this fruit was whole-cluster pressed and then immediately transferred to a stainless-steel tank for a long, cold 45-degree fermentation, capturing and enhancing the fruit’s delicate, nuanced aromatics. For five months, the wine remained on its lees in a chilled environment, without malolactic fermentation, delivering a crisp and fresh chardonnay in its purest form.
Tasting Notes: Purity is the intent behind Inox, and capturing the essence of cold climate chardonnay takes tremendous mental focus and effort. A master class in winemaking restraint, Inox is a fascinating reminder of what chardonnay actually tastes like before it goes off into all the different styles it is known for. This wine commands your attention with clean, pure, salty ocean air and lifted, delicate jasmine flower along with crushed rocks, white pepper, pear skin and lemon pith. The palate is bright and electric with prickly acid and beautiful green elements reminiscent of delicate mint and kiwi fruit. The finish lingers for days, offering time to reflect and appreciate the incredible complexity achieved through the most minimal intervention. Pair this with oysters, shrimp, sashimi, Thai papaya salad, or fresh spring rolls.
2023 Estate Pinot Noir – Indigène
Small Lot Collection – Sta. Rita Hills
288 cases produced
Unique and wild style delivers earthy, soil-driven characteristics.
Our commitment to organic farming enables us to handcraft a truly natural “native” or “indigenous” fermentation, utilizing yeasts that are naturally present in the vineyard and cellar. Due to its excellent attributes of color, aroma, flavor and texture, the compelling and well-rounded Clone 115 was specifically chosen for this wine. Completely destemmed upon harvest, we surrender control to Mother Nature and allow the fruit to begin the fermentation process on its own. Several native yeast strains are present to start, until one becomes dominant and takes over to finish. This method captures the earthy, mushroom and soil-driven characteristics that define this unique and wild style.
Tasting Notes: The use of native yeasts has a deep impact on the aromas, contributing savory characteristics of moist soil, freshly cut porcini mushrooms, walnut, and tobacco leaf. The red fruits are subtly present and help balance out the impact of the earth. The palate is clean and pure with silky-smooth tannins and bright acidity. This bottling paired with mushroom risotto is sure to impress.
2023 Estate Pinot Noir – Sandy’s Block
Small Lot Collection – Sta. Rita Hills
624 cases produced
Pretty and delicate, followed by mouthwatering dense fruit.
Named after Chad’s beloved Aunt Sandy, this block is situated on the east side of our estate, to the north of the winery, and is planted on low-nutrient, well-drained sandy soil…which, although might be surprising, is an ideal environment for this wine. As not much thrives in pure sand (think desert cactus), growing vines in sandy soil requires consistent care and attention from our farming team. The balance we create, along with pinot noir’s tendency to reflect the characteristics of the soil, leads Sandy’s fruit to develop a lifted, delicate, and pretty wine with intense notes of a red fruit bouquet. Sandy’s Block includes selections from Calera (clone 90) and clones 828, 459 and 114, which when grown in sand (in addition to perfumed aromatics) deliver an ethereal and harmonic palate impression. With 50% whole cluster, the fruit is fermented with skin and stem contact for about 30 days, before going into neutral French oak.
Tasting Notes: Tasting Notes: Sandy’s consistently showcases a beautiful combination of dried flowers, salty minerals, fresh cracked white pepper, Bing cherry, blood orange rind, and wintergreen accents. The texture is concentrated fruit matched with bright, mouthwatering freshness. While this block’s sandy soil is reflected in the lighter style, Sandy’s still delivers a rush of power. Pair with lightly smoked fatty salmon with blood orange demi-glace.
2023 Estate Pinot Noir – Block C Vosne-Romanée
Small Lot Collection – Sta. Rita Hills
378 cases produced
Pure elegance from a world-renowned vineyard…
Back in 1997, one of our neighbors brought over cuttings from a very famous vineyard in Burgundy, France…La Romanée-Conti, in the village of Vosne-Romanée. These cuttings were then brought to Foundation Plant Services to go through protocols to ensure they were disease-free before propagation. After waiting 20 years for them to be ready, we planted our vines in 2018 and are thrilled with the results
Tasting Notes: Vosne-Romanée offers a deeply concentrated mélange of aromas – red cherry, ripe cranberries, black fruit, graphite and a salty marine influence that is typical of the Sta. Rita Hills. The palate is seamless with a balance of intensity, strength and ripe tannin. This wine would generously reward you with a little time in bottle, but if you just can’t wait, 30-60 minutes of decanting before serving is recommended. Pair with grilled duck breast, or porchetta.
Exclusive Club Add-On Opportunity…
2021 Estate Chardonnay – Deep Cuts
Deep Cuts Collection – Sta. Rita Hills
54 cases produced
Composed of 100% estate fruit, this wine represents a new perspective of Melville chardonnay. Aged on the lees in 100% new Schneckenleitner Austrian oak for a full two years to allow for a more complete and harmonious integration, the introduction of new oak amplifies the vibrancy, tension and texture synonymous with Sta. Rita Hills chardonnays without compromising the delicate balance of concentrated fruit flavors and ripe acidity.
Tasting Notes: Tension abounds between generous fruit and sophisticated restraint. The salty lemon skin with lifted white flowers, (the backbone of our Sta. Rita Hills chardonnay) is now introduced to a touch of mouth filling structure from new Austrian oak. The result is a prickly chardonnay that has weight and concentration for days. Pair this wine with spaghetti al limone, or grilled Ibérico pork chop.
