Our 2021 Califa Chardonnay radiates clarity and vibrancy, unveiling aromas of Meyer lemon, golden apple, and nectarine. The palate offers notes of lemon curd, sun-kissed mango, and a hint of blanched almonds. Accented by gentle oak and vivacious acidity, the wine seamlessly fuses elegance and depth.
Best appreciated alongside grilled seabass or poached lobster, amplifying its distinguished essence.
We like to say that the farmers hate the drought years but the winemakers love them. Bad for yields but great for quality. 2021 was one of our driest years ever; around 10 inches of rain but this figure is a little misleading as 8 of those inches came in 24 hours and mostly ended up in the creek. The spring and summer were relatively cool on the coast with ample coastal fog. Harvest was later than average with picking spanning between late September to early October.
93 points, Wine Enthusiast
Our 2019 Califa Chardonnay opens with notes of kumquat, yuzu and burnt sugar on the nose. On the palate, the wine has a rich and full body that’s balanced by bright and focused acidity. Notes of vanilla custard and Meyer lemon suffuse the palate and linger through the wine’s long finish.
Pair with seared scallops in brown butter, creamy pasta dishes, or bloomy rind cheeses.
This Chardonnay comes from the ridge of loamy, calcareous gravel that runs along the northern edge of our vineyard. The vines in this area ripen a little earlier than the rest of the vineyard and display more intense flavor. We pair this with longer time in barrel and a slightly higher percentage of new oak to balance the power of the grapes. Califa is usually the showiest of our Chardonnays but still eminently ageable.
