Divum Chardonnay 2017

Viticulture

Harvested from The Franscioni Grava vineyard at the foot of the Gabilan mountain range, in the cool climate growing region of northern Monterey County. The vineyard is certified sustainable.

Vinification

Grapes whole cluster pressed and rough racked to the fermenter.
9 months stainless steel and French oak, sur-lie aging, batonage (lees stirred)
100% malolactic fermentation

Tasting notes

Balancing fruit and complexity, Divum Chardonnay expresses tropical mango and pineapple fruits and the olive/mineral quality typical of the region. The fruit intensity is supported by French oak toast and acidity tempered with the light creamy character of the malo-lactic fermentation. Bright fruit with complexity and length.

Winery Description

The Story
The Francioni family has been farming grapes in Monterey for four generations, and now brothers Tom and Rob Francioni lead the production of the family's private label, Divum.
Specializing in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, the varieties best suited to the Monterey region, they take pride in producing wines of the highest quality. All fruit is carefully selected from one of their three vineyard blocks, all of which are certified sustainable.

The Place
The Monterey AVA is known for the influence of the Monterey Canyon, the deepest underwater canyon on the west coast of the United States. The canyon causes a phenomenon known as upwelling, where winds push warm water near the surface away from the shore and bring cold water near the bottom of the canyon closer to the surface. The cold water cools the wind that blows over the ocean, and when it hits the land, it creates fog. Each morning as the sun rises, the southern end of the Salinas Valley warms up and a low-pressure system sends cold foggy air across the ocean and down the valley. Over the course of the day, the valley gradually warms from 10 to 21 degrees Celsius, providing ideal conditions for growing varieties that prefer cooler climates. The effects of the updrafts can be seen throughout Monterey County, but because the vineyard is located in the foothills of the Gavilan Mountains, the fog does not last long in the valley. In the vineyards, the transition from high daytime temperatures to cool night air is more drastic and combined with the long hang time, it makes the varietal character even more pronounced.

The vineyard also has the advantage of being located near a granite quarry. The soil consists of less than one meter of decomposed granite and heavy clay loam. The decomposed granite drains well and is ideal for viticulture. Unlike other agricultural crops, the quality of wine grapes is highly dependent on the complexity of the soil. Vines planted in decomposed granite are capable of retrieving nutrients on their own, resulting in lower yields but producing fruit with intense and complex flavors.