Esser Vineyards Chardonnay

WINEMAKING The lack of winter and spring rains in the Central Coast region coupled with a lack of water in reservoirs brought new challenges to the vineyard managers and their crews. Bud break and set followed with average summer temperatures and any prolonged heat spikes. The fruit came from sustainably farmed vineyards in northern Monterey County’s Riverview and Arroyo Seco vineyards that benefit from hot days that are tempered by the cool afternoon breezes from the Pacific Ocean. The two vineyard sites are well known to produce crisp and vibrant fruit ideally suited for Chardonnay. The fruit arrived at the crush pad after early morning picking and immediately whole cluster pressed. There was minimal skin contact and after fermentation 25% of the wine was transferred into French oak barrels for secondary malolactic fermentation. Final blends of the different suitable lots take place in early summer following the harvest. COLOR Pale to golden straw. AROMA Hints of tropical fruit