The Chardonnay Show

May 26th is World Chardonnay Day, so we present to you an Up in the Valley original:

“An Ode to Chardonnay”
Oh, Chardonnay
Cougar juice, better known as Chablis
I could never pass up a White Burgundy
Oh, Chardonnay
No matter if you’re sparkling, unoaked, or oaked
To drink you, I will always be stoked
Oh, Chardonnay
The grape that is most widely planted
Always a pleasure to have you decanted
Oh, Chardonnay
Life without you would be way too hard
I am forever grateful for the existence of Chard!

Uncorked

Bernardus Chardonnay

From Monterey County, this Chardonnay comes from 4 different vineyards in the area. Arroyo Seco and Santa Lucia Highlands make up the majority of it. We think this is a steal with the 2020 vintage available for $30.

Nose: tropical, honey

Palette: butter, oak, green apple, candied ginger

Pairs well with: chicken alfredo

Available at: Widely available at most major grocery stores along the central coast!

Pence Estate Chardonnay

This Pence Chardonnay is a great expression of the Sta. Rita Hills where these grapes are grown. This wine is drinking beautifully at the moment, but will also develop over time. It was aged in 25% new French oak and concrete vessels, giving it just a hint of oak without overpowering the other flavors and aromas.

Nose: pear, apple, granite

Palette: salinity, vanilla, citrus, light oak

Pairs well with: lobster roll or lobster mac n’ cheese

Available at: Go visit Pence Ranch because it is stunning! You will enjoy a pond, peacocks, vines, and knowledgable hosts. Also often stocked at Santa Barbara Wine Collective.

Tyler Winery Mae Estate Chardonnay

The 2020 Mae Estate Chardonnay from Tyler wines was recently awarded 95 points from Wine Advocate and for good reason. Tyler wines is making world class wine out of the Sta. Rita Hills that is competing with top Burgundies. The vineyard itself sits only 15 miles from the ocean with wind swept vineyards that create complexity. Retail price is $75 for your next special occasion.

Nose: coriander, butterscotch

Palette: baked quince, honey, green apple

Pairs well with: tuna poke bowl or some garlic butter shrimp

Available at: Visit the estate or find this bottle at the Liquor and Wine Grotto in Montecito.

AVA Highlight: Sta. Rita Hills

It’s not easy for a region to become an American Viticultural Area (AVA). Soil has to be analyzed, boundaries have to be drawn, and winemakers and proprietors have to come together to tackle the legal process that accompanies gaining AVA credibility. This week we want to highlight what makes the Sta Rita Hills AVA in Santa Barbara County so dang special.

Sta Rita Hills was established as an AVA in 2001, though the pioneers of the region began planting in the 70’s. There are around 36,000 acres and 60+ vineyards to explore, so take a drive up the 246 from Buellton to Lompoc or along Santa Rosa Road and discover the gorgeous coastal valleys and windswept mountains of Sta Rita Hills. We promise you’ll have more fun than Paul Giamatti did in movie Sideways!

Climate: Sta. Rita Hills is known for its cool, coastal microclimate. Since this AVA is so close the ocean and the hills run east to west rather than the usual north to south, both fog and a nice breeze sweep through the valley. This prolongs the growing season and results in naturally high acid wines with structure that will pair easily with all sorts of cuisine.

Soil: The coastal trends continue as you look at the loam of the land. Loam is soil consisting of mostly sand and silt, with some clay as well. Marine deposits and calcium rich soil add a minerality and salinity to the wines coming out of this AVA. Sta. Rita Hills is also well known for its porous, diatomaceous Earth, created millennia ago from sea algae fossils. This rare, silica based soil type acts like a sponge and retains the right amount of water and nutrients. It has proven to be particularly conducive to growing Chardonnay.

Varieties: Cool-climate varieties like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are most prevalent, by far, in Sta. Rita Hills. However, you can also find some Syrah and even smaller amounts of Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier. The Syrah that is grown in Sta. Rita hills is known for it’s predominantly peppery flavor profile due to the cool climate.

Vineyards: Some more well known vineyards you will likely see on Sta. Rita Hills labels are Rita’s Crown (highest elevation in the appellation), Mt. Carmel, Fiddlestix, Sanford & Benedict (one of the first), Bentrock, Radian, La Rinconada, and John Sebastiano. Each has its distinct characteristics, so try sampling the same varietal like Pinot Noir from multiple vineyards to discover for yourself how the flavor profile changes through the valley.

Visit: The temperate weather means that you can visit Sta. Rita Hills year round! We recommend starting your day on Santa Rosa Road at Peake Ranch Winery or Sanford Winery and Vineyards before exploring the 246. On the 246 you can take your pick from a pond and cave setting at Pence, antique shopping at Babcock, or a tree lined driveway leading to flower covered pergolas at Melville. Finish your day at one of the many tasting rooms in the Lompoc wine ghetto or treat yourself to a world class wine experience at Tyler Winery or The Hilt.

What’s Happening

• Walson Holland Wine Dinner: Have a chance to meet winemaker Benny Holland on Wednesday, May 24th at 6 p.m. in Ojai. Chef Saw of The Dutchess will present a beautiful 5 course dinner paired with rare glasses of Walson Holland Wine. $150/ticket

• Wine and Cheese Pairing at Vino Divino: This intimate wine and cheese tasting is on Saturday, May 27th at 5 p.m. in Santa Barbara. It will feature Crown Point Wines and be presented by winemaker Simon Faury. $50/ticket

Cheers!

Issue #4