2023 Saracina Vineyards Unoaked Chardonnay Mendocino County

Our 2023 Unoaked Chardonnay offers aromas of Bosc pear, peach, and a crisp, snappy sweet pea note. The palate shows stone fruit and citrus flavors that are light and lively, unhampered by overbearing oak or malolactic influence. This is a pure expression of Chardonnay, a ray of sunshine that carries itself admirably without weight.

The fruit was whole cluster pressed, settled, and fermented to dryness entirely in stainless steel. Malolactic fermentation was inhibited to keep the wine fresh and bright. The wine remained on primary lees for less than three months prior to blending to retain the pure expression of fruit.

The grapes come entirely from the Saracina ranch. The vines are 40 years old, clone 4, and are planted on soils influenced by the Russian River. The older vine blocks that comprised the original Sundial Chardonnay are ideally suited for the modern Saracina version of that classic. All of the blocks are on the vanguard of true sustainability, having been some of the first in the state to be certified by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance. The growing season of 2022 began evenly, with no major hiccups. Low precipitation during the previous winter and spring led to below average cluster weights and yields, thus superior concentration and flavors. Harvest began on August 27th with Saracina Block A1 and finished with Gianda Rose on September 8th, 2022.