Morgan Winery Highland Chardonnay 2020

Viticulture

With each vintage of Highland Chardonnay, we showcase the unique attributes of the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA. The 2020 cuvée includes 48% fruit from our certified organic Double L estate, with the balance from outstanding neighbors, including McIntyre and Tondre vineyards. 

Vinification

The grapes were hand picked and sorted in the vineyard. Whole cluster pressing preserved the fruit flavors and natural acidity. We barrel fermented the wine in 29% new French oak and partial malo-lactic ensured the wine a creamy richness, balanced by bright acidity.

Tasting notes

This focused, elegant chardonnay’s aromas feature asian pear, graham cracker, and baking spices. On the palate, aromas are complemented by a light touch of toffee and Nilla wafer.

Pairing

Incredibly food-friendly, the 2020 Highland Chardonnay is a perfect match for cream-sauced pastas, roast pork, and seafood.

San Fransisco Chronicles Wine Competition' Double Gold

Producer Description

Visionary Winemaker of Santa Lucia Highlands

With more than thirty years’ experience, Dan Lee and the Morgan label have been synonymous with artisan, vineyard-centric wines from the Santa Lucia Highlands and Monterey.

Coming from a small town in California’s Central Valley, Dan Morgan Lee had prepared initially for the study of veterinary medicine at the University of California, Davis.  It was late in his college career that he discovered enology satisfied his interest in both science and agriculture. Immediately enrolling in the graduate enology program, Dan completed his studies and was hired as winemaker at Jekel Winery in Monterey County.

After serving his apprenticeship at Jekel, Dan moved up the road to Durney Vineyard where he continued to make Monterey wines. While making wine full-time for Durney, Dan aspired to craft his own label.  It was at a meeting of the Monterey County Winegrowers Association that he shared his vision with a banker. In addition to becoming his business advisor, that banker would also become Dan's wife.

Dan & Donna Lee: Morgan Winery's Proprietors
In 1982, Dan and Donna Lee opened the doors of Morgan Winery. Their very first Monterey Chardonnay earned a Gold Medal at the LA County Fair and a Platinum Medal from Wine & Spirits Magazine. Since then, Morgan has become one of the Central Coast’s most recognized labels, earning “Winery of the Year” honors from Wine & Spirits in 1996 and from the San Francisco Chronicle in 2003.

Able to pick and choose fruit sources from around the state, Dan eventually turned more of his attention to the Santa Lucia Highlands and single vineyard releases.  Dan and Donna invested in their belief in the Highlands with the purchase of the Double L Vineyard in 1996. Today the Double L is one of the best-known vineyards in California. Dan’s leadership and expertise in the district led to his being named the first Board President of the newly formed Santa Lucia Highlands’ winegrowers association in 2005.

Dan and Donna Lee reside in Salinas. Twin daughters Annie and Jackie (the inspiration for the “Double Luck” vineyard moniker) are in college; son Josh is in high school.