2019 Heintz Vineyard Chardonnay

VINEYARD NOTES

Heintz Vineyard, farmed by Charlie Heintz, sits atop a ridge at 900 feet in elevation in the Green Valley area of the Russian River Valley. Its gently sloping sides are rich in Goldridge sandy loam with two to three feet of topsoil followed by layers of clay. Optimal growing conditions and careful vineyard management result in a luscious, mouthwatering, full-bodied Chardonnay with lots of depth.

The Heintz family has been farming Heintz Ranch for over a century. Charlie, along with his eight siblings, spent many hours working on the ranch as they grew up, and in 1984, Charlie took over the reins. Charlies dedication and continual improvements to vineyard management have led to the finest quality Chardonnay grapes. The southwestern facing vines are located in the banana belt of the Green Valley, and tend to ripen earlier than much of the valley.

WINEMAKER NOTES

Crafted using traditional Burgundian techniques, the grapes were hand picked on October 14 and were whole-cluster basket pressed to preserve the rich, natural flavors. Barrel fermentation and sur lie aging lend firmness and palate richness, establishing structure for this wine to retain depth and complexity for several years.

TASTING NOTES

Notes of mango layered with fresh pineapple, orange marmalade and brioche spring from the glass in this 2019 Chardonnay. The silky, smooth mouthfeel highlights peach and caramel bursting with sumptuous citrus flavors and a juicy abundance delights on the finish.