Vineyard Information:Our 585 acre Los Alamos Chardonnay vineyard is nestledin Santa Barbaras rolling hills, a climate consideredby manyto be ideal for Burgundian varietals. The cool ocean air andabundant fog of Santa Barbara County allow Chardonnaygrapes to ripen slowly and evenly while developing delicate,complex flavorsand crisp acidity.KWinemaking:To complement and preserve the fruits vibrant coastalcharacter, the wine is made in a lightly-oaked style througha combination of fermentation techniques. Oak barrelfermentation using both French and American oak is completedwith a majority of the blend, while the remainder is fermentedin stainless steel tanks to retain the grapes natural flavors. Theresult is a final blend that combines tropical aromas and richflavors with refreshing acidity and a vibrant mouthfeel.K Tasting Notes:This Chardonnay captures the best of Santa Barbaras uniqueterroir. Tropical fruit aromas lead to creamy pineapple andzesty citrus fruit flavors on the palate, followed by a refreshing,lively finish. The clean, lightly- oaked style is elegant and lean the perfect complement for creamy pastas, grilled fish orsummer salads.K Wine Specifications:Appellation: Santa Barbara CountyComposition: 100% ChardonnayAlcohol: 13.85%TA: 0.53 g/100 mlpH: 3.49RS: 0.5 g/100 ml (dry)
Region Description
(shar dohn nay)—This noble grape’s reputation was established in France, particularly in the Burgundy region, and the highly prized Chardonnay wines from Chablis, Mâcon, Mersault, and Pouilly-Fuissé are imitated by winemakers around the world. Generally an oaked wine (whether from expensive oak barrels or a quick soak in oak chips), its fruity aromas and flavors range from apple in the cooler regions to tropical fruits such a pineapple in the warmer regions. It can also display subtle earthy aromas, such as mushroom or minerals. It has a medium to high acidity and is generally full-bodied. Classical Chardonnay wines are dry.Chardonnay is also an important grape in the Champagne district where it’s picked before fully ripe and while it still has high acid and understated fruit flavors—the perfect combination for champagne. California has adopted this grape with a fervor and there are some 200 wineries producing Chardonnay wines in other parts of the United States. Chardonnay has also seen a tremendous planting surge in Australia, and new vineyards are being planted in Italy, Lebanon, New Zealand, Spain, and South Africa.
