Ramey Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, Sonoma Co., California 2021

“Coming from special vineyard sites, our Chardonnays show great depth of flavor, length of finish, aromatic complexity, and a fine balance between richness and delicacy. Typically, the climate is cool and the soil vigor low, producing graceful yet vibrant wines.” – David Ramey 

• Farming: Sustainable
• Winemaker: David Ramey, Cameron Frey, Lydia Cummins
  
• Grape Varieties: 100% Chardonnay
• Terroir / Soils: Cool sites, with low vigor soil such as Goldridge Loam, planted between 1969 and 2006. Planted to a larger-clustered clone such as UC Davis clone 4, or a younger planting of a Wente or Dijon selection. Vineyard sites include Westside Farms, Dutton, Kilcullen, Woolsey Road, and Rochioli Allen. 
  
• Vinification: Whole cluster press for phenolic delicacy. Native-yeast and full native malolactic fermentation take place in barrel, with sur lies bâtonnage. After aging 12 months in 25% new French oak barrels (François Frères, Taransaud Beaune), and 5% Concrete egg, the Chardonnay was traditionally fined for clarity during the following harvest. Bottled unfiltered.
  

An absolute benchmark for California Chardonnay, Ramey Wine Cellars is a giant in its field. After decades leading winemaking teams for wineries such as Dominus, Chalk Hill and Matanzas Creek, David Ramey began the brand in 1996, setting out to make his personal mark on the wine landscape in California. David’s groundbreaking work with indigenous yeasts, sur lies aging and malolactic and barrel fermentation yielded a new California style that was richer, more lush and silky smooth than previously known. As a result, he created a benchmark style now emulated by many.