The Vintage: For the Anderson Valley, 2010 was a splendid vintage. While atypical weather patterns resulted in an extraordinarily cool summer for much of the North Coast, the high ridges surrounding Anderson Valley provided protection from the extended summer fog. A cool and wet May gave way to a warm, but not-too-hot June and July. Veraison (color change) first appeared in Pinot noir in mid-August signaling a late harvest. Late harvests in Anderson Valley can be tremendously rewarding – when our vines complete their final stages of ripening in October, we are treated to an incredible intensity of flavor in the glass. We were fortunate to complete our last pick of Pinot noir on October 20th, before record setting rains began to fall. Our 2010 wines are a beautiful balance of concentration and elegance, and may well prove to be our finest wines yet.

Vineyard: A blend of fruit from Ferrington and Savoy Vineyards, located near the towns of Boonville and Philo respectively in Anderson Valley.

Harvest: October 3, 12, and 19, at an average of 23.8° Brix

Fermentation: Whole cluster pressing to tank and settled for 24 hours Barrel fermented in French oak
25% malolactic fermentation permitted

Aging: Aged sur lie in 60 gallon French oak barrels and a 900 gallon oak cask

Technical Notes: Alcohol: 14.2 %, pH: 3.42, Total Acid: 6.5 g/L

Cases Crafted: Six hundred and twenty four cases bottled on August 31, 2011

Release Date: October 1, 2010

Winemaker’s Comments: Our 2010 Anderson Valley Chardonnay was fermented in neutral oak barrels and aged in a large oak oval that holds the equivalent of 15 barrels. Aging Chardonnay in a larger oak cask preserves the fruit flavors and gives an especially clean finish. The nose on this pretty wine is bright with aromas of dried pineapple, green apple, and lemon zest. Flavors of honey and quince mingle with Meyer lemon and pear on the palate. —Ryan Hodgins, Winemaker