- Wines
2021 Damiana Vineyard Chardonnay
Vineyard
Damiana Vineyard is our oldest vineyard, planted in 1978, often producing dense and opulent Chardonnay. Its exposure is primarily southwestern, leading to more sun during the growing season, though this site is heavily influenced by maritime breeze most afternoons. Shallow topsoil of fractured Lambert Shale and mudstone limit vigor and lead to wines with great concentration and intensity. This vineyard is typically the first to be harvested of our estate Chardonnay.
Winemaker Notes
The 2021 vintage was a welcome change from the catastrophe of 2020, which saw devastating fires throughout the region. Sugar and acidity levels tracked well and while crop size was shorter than we would prefer, we were able to harvest perfectly ripened fruit at a reasonable pace. The resulting wines have excellent balance and intensity. In comparison to our most recent vintages, there are some similarities to 2019 in that the wines possess great elegance and site specificity.
Technical Data
Vintage
2021
Varietal
Chardonnay
Appellation
Santa Cruz Mountains
Vineyard Designation
Damiana Vineyard
Acid
6.2
pH
3.59
Alcohol %
13.20
Other Notes
The 2021 Chardonnay Damiana Vineyard is laced with hints of tropical fruit, apricot, yellow flowers and earthy tones. The Damiana is one of the more overt wines in this range, as it often is, but that exotic character is nicely tempered by elevation. - 93 points. Antonio Galloni, Vinous