2021 Arista Russian River Valley Chardonnay

Aromas of lemon-lime soda, wet stones, and white flowers integrate with high-toned notes of lemon drop and chamomile. The palate is medium-bodied and exceptionally energetic, featuring a firm, zippy texture and a shimmery acidity that carries flavors of baked apple and flint. It is balanced by a subtle mineral depth and a satiny mouthfeel, finishing with a crisp, clean sensation that lingers with a touch of saline-infused persistence.

Winemaker Matt Courtney utilizes a gentle winemaking process designed to preserve the vibrancy of the fruit. In the cellar, whole grape clusters are hand-sorted and subjected to an extremely slow, gentle press cycle. The juice is fermented naturally using only native yeasts in 60-gallon French oak barrels. The wine matures for 12 months in barrel, followed by an additional 4 to 6 months in stainless steel tanks to refine its focus. Only a modest amount of new oak is used, and limited battonage is employed during the early months to build texture while keeping the linear, mineral core intact.

The fruit is a comprehensive blend sourced from five prestigious, sustainably farmed sites within the Russian River Valley, including the El Diablo, Banfield, Ritchie, and Flora Marie vineyards, along with the estate's Westside Road vineyard. These sites are defined by their diverse mix of Goldridge sandy loam and volcanic soils. The wine benefits from the classic Russian River Valley microclimate—marked by cooling morning fogs and temperate afternoon sun—which allows the grapes to achieve full phenolic ripeness and concentrated flavor without sacrificing the structural tension and "shimmery" acidity that defines the region’s best white wines.