chardonnay

grand terroir

"art of the vineyard"

signature of the soil

The winemaking philosophy of Art of the Vineyard seeks to take advantage of the unique soil and microclimate diversity in the estate vineyard.   Limestone and calcium montmorillonite are the two most revered soil constituents in the renowned French vineyards.  It has long been acknowledged in France that these soils contribute to wine greatness, and without them -- wine inferiority. 

 

Art of the Vineyard allows our winemaker, Greg Cropper, to draw upon our 26 different soil types to express natural, soil-derived variation in the wine.  He also will have the freedom to create blends that take advantage of year-to-year variance.  

 

Most vineyards growing Chardonnay are planted in high-acid soils, making it almost impossible to overcome the manipulations required for their Chardonnays.  Chardonnay grown in limestone is perfectly in balance from the start and creates a Chardonnay devoid of the over oakiness that haunts most California Chardonnays.

 

The story and the style of this wine is a revelation, especially for those seeking a way out of oak-dominated Chardonnay and seeking the new heralded style of the varietal that reveals the clean, full-flavored, divine essence of Chardonnay.