2020 Racines Chardonnay Bentrock Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills

Terroir

Santa Lucia shaly clay loam, Tierra sandy loam

Viticulture

We are very fortunate to work with two Chardonnay parcels from this well known vineyard located on the western end of Santa Rosa Road. Both north facing; the first sits atop the vineyard looking out over the Sta. Rita Hills on very rocky soils, in an extremely exposed and windy perch. The second, a little lower and with more topsoil, sits just to the east and is protected by the hilltop where our other piece sits.

Vinification

The wines were fermented in a combination of 500L puncheons, 350L barrels and 228L barriques, resulting in about 25% new oak on the wine. After just under a year in barrel, the wines and all the lees were moved to tank for an additional six months of cellaring.

ELEVAGE
11 months - 25% new French oak - 7 months in stainless steel

Winery Description

Racines is a collaboration between two classic houses from France, led by vignerons Étienne de Montille and Brian Sieve of Burgundy and Rodolphe Péters of Champagne. The team came together to join their individual experiences in hand-crafting wines of purity and transparency to create a range of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the cool climate of the Sta. Rita Hills in California.

The project is the first venture for Étienne and Rodolphe beyond France and represents the coming together of all that is wonderful about Burgundy, Champagne and California.

These wines confirm something many have long suspected: that if you are looking to make terroir driven, elegant, balanced wines in the new world, then Sta. Rita Hills is the place.