The Day Ranch Chardonnay reveals lively aromas of white flowers, fresh pineapple, and lemon citrus that create an amazing sensory experience. On the palate, the entry is soft, delicate, and fruit-forward with shimmering citrus flavors and a kiss of French oak gliding to a bright, impeccably balanced finish.
In order to maximize quality, the harvested grapes went directly to press as whole clusters and were gently pressed. This provides a distinct mouthfeel texture. After settling, the juice was racked to French oak barrels for fermentation and aging, with 25% new French oak and 20% one-year-old barrels. The wine was aged for 13 months before being bottled on November 17th, 2021.
The season began with a warm winter with no frost issues and a mild spring that resulted in a nice, even fruit set. While the summer was quite warm, there were only a couple of short heat spikes, which ensured that the grapes were able to fully ripen while retaining the natural acidity we love. As a result, our Chardonnay crop was balanced and healthy, yielding wines with vibrant flavors and excellent depth and energy. We harvested our Day Ranch fruit on September 11th, 2020.
To make this wine, our love of exploration took us to another acclaimed coastal Northern California wine region, Mendocino County’s renowned Anderson Valley. Located just 15 miles from the Pacific Ocean, in the cool “Deep End” of the Anderson Valley, Day Ranch is planted on an alluvial terrace that abuts a mountainside. This cool rustic site allows us to produce a Chardonnay with depth and ripeness without sacrificing racy acidity.