Diatom Chardonnay Santa Barbara County 2020

One of the coolest climates on the west coast, Sta. Rita Hills of Santa Barbara County enjoys the longest growing season, making this a paradise for pinot noir and chardonnay. The quality of the vineyards and grapes grown here is rivaled only by the absolute beauty of the region itself. The unique transverse valleys funnel maritime influences through a small appellation filled with with variations in soil, aspect and micro-climates to produce sites of character and distinction. We are incredibly fortunate to work and farm in this exceptional winegrowing region, unlike any other in the world.

This is sourced from contiguous blocks of clone 76 Chardonnay planted over 20 years ago in the Los Alamos region of Santa Barbara County. Los Alamos is a magnificent and relatively unknown region whose sandy loam soil lends itself to fruit with a bit more flesh and weight - perfectly suited to the Diatom model. Harvested at five different moments for a variety of ripeness levels, fermented at very low temperature in small stainless-steel tanks, with blocked malolactic, matured with no lees. Considerable richness with tropical fruit gives way to slightly salty, mineral notes, full-bodied and creamy with a good, long finish.