2022 Sandhi Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay

Aromas of citrus peel, white flowers, chalk, and fresh mint open to a palate that is taut and finely cut, with crisp apple, pear, and a subtle creaminess that widens through the mid-palate. A saline mineral streak runs from start to finish, carrying the wine to a long, textured close with a gentle oceanic lift.

Fruit is fermented with indigenous yeasts in 500-liter puncheons, with 20% new oak, then aged for 10 months in barrel before transferring to tank for an additional 6 months. The wine is made with no additions, preserving a transparent expression of the fruit and site.

The fruit is sourced primarily from Domaine de la Côte, with an additional selection from William Hines Vineyard, both within the Sta. Rita Hills AVA at the far western end of Santa Barbara County. Domaine de la Côte sits within striking distance of the Pacific Ocean, where morning fog and persistent afternoon winds compress the growing season and drive the wine's pronounced acidity and mineral character. The soils are shallow and diatomaceous, a chalky, fossil-rich composition unique to this stretch of the appellation.