2022 Bien Nacido Estate Chardonnay

Aromas of Meyer lemon, yellow apple, white flowers, and toasted brioche lead into a refined, medium-to-full-bodied palate. Flavors of grilled pineapple, lemon curd, and hazelnut mesh with subtle flinty undertones. The texture is creamy yet vibrant, supported by a distinct mineral streak and bright natural acidity that extends through a long, savory finish.

Farmed sustainably across estate blocks. Hand-harvested grapes are whole-cluster pressed directly to French oak barrels (a combination of new and neutral oak) for native yeast fermentation. The wine undergoes full malolactic fermentation with periodic lees stirring to build textural depth, aging on its lees for roughly 16 to 18 months prior to bottling.

Grapes are grown in the iconic Bien Nacido Vineyard, located in the Santa Maria Valley. Situated on benchlands along the Sisquoc River, the vineyard features shale and gravelly loam soils heavily influenced by cool breezes and fog off the nearby Pacific Ocean, allowing for extended hang time and strong natural acidity.