Melville Chardonnay Estate Sta. Rita Hills 2022

Viticulture

This wine is 100% from Melville's Sta. Rita Hills estate and is a combination of clones 4, 76, and 95, along with Mount Eden, Hanzell, Hudson, Wente and Melville selections. The chardonnay vines were planted in 1997, predominantly on the west side of the estate where there are varying degrees of sand. Because the west side receives the brunt of brutally cold ocean-winds and grows in nutrient deficient, well-drained soils, the chardonnay always captures the vibrancy, minerality, and concentrated flavors that are hallmarks of the appellation. The densely planted vineyard is harvested by hand then the grapes are gently whole-cluster pressed, cold settled overnight and transferred by gravity to barrel for fermentation in neutral French oak barrels (15+ years old), with zero malolactic and sur lie aging without any lees disturbance.

Vinification

Whole cluster pressed, neutral barrel fermented.
Aged in neutral barrel on lees with no SO2, no malolactic fermentation.

Tasting notes

Melville Chardonnay continues to blur the line between what a “California Chardonnay” is or is not. Aromatics of clementines and underripe pineapple are followed by a kiss of Pacific Ocean breeze. A harmonious tug-of-war between texture and tension creates a wonderfully balanced wine with mouthwatering notes of pineapple core, Japanese pear, and orange blossoms. The laser-focused acidity and touch of ocean minerals really bring this wine together, creating a long and refreshing finish. Overall, this is an elegant and nuanced Chardonnay that showcases the purity of the fruit, restraint, and the unique terroir of Sta. Rita Hills AVA.

Winery Description

Santa Rita Hills Top Estate

Situated amongst the beautiful rolling hills of Western Santa Ynez Valley, Melville is dedicated to producing exceptional cold-climate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah grown exclusively in their estate vineyards throughout the Sta. Rita Hills appellation. Prior to coming to the Santa Ynez Valley, the Melville family grew high-quality and greatly sought-after grapes in Sonoma County's Knights Valley for over ten years.

Ron Melville had a great desire to grow cold-climate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah. In 1996 they founded Melville Vineyards in the area that was later to become the Sta. Rita Hills, an area located in the Western Santa Ynez Valley of Santa Barbara County. The family owned and operated winery is now known as one of the most highly-regarded estates in California.

The Sta. Rita Hills appellation in Santa Barbara County is unique geographical area with a valley traversing East to West with the Pacific Ocean bordering on the West end. The "sideways" orientation brings direct marine influence into in the vineyards throughout the appellation.

Melville currently has 120 acres under vine. The soil is mostly Lompoc dune sand, interspersed with clay loam and shallow hard pans of Monterey shale. These vineyards are predominantly north/south-facing, planted in a high-density fashion. Vineyard management is key element of the Melville philosophy of wine growing rather than wine making. By concentrating efforts out in the vineyard, prior to harvest, less work is need in the winery, and thus the true nature of the grape shines through in the final wine.

The estate currently has 16 clones of Pinot Noir, 9 clones of Syrah, and 6 clones of Chardonnay. All blocks are fermented in small lots and isolated through their entire period of elevage, which gives Melville's team with an ongoing exhibition of how they can fine tune vineyard practices in order to achieve the most unmanipulated and site-specific wines possible.