Until 2013, our focus in Sta. Rita Hills was directed exclusively on Pinot Noir. It wasn’t until we began searching for land to establish our own estate vineyard in the area, that we discovered the naturally beautiful and world-class Chardonnay growing right at our doorstep. The very best Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnays have a deliciously distinct sea salt minerality, from the growing season’s maritime influence and one-time ocean floor soil that the grapes are rooted in. Our ‘Highlands’ is crafted from Chardonnay grapes grown on Pali Vineyard and other premium vineyards in the Sta. Rita Hills in Santa Barbara County. This wine is expertly blended to capture the spirit of the region and express the unique flavors associated with Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay. The grapes are fermented in small lots and then aged in 20% new French oak barrels and 80% neutral French oak barrels for 450 days. Malolactic fermentation is inhibited, resulting in a crisp style of Chardonnay.

With a total area of 30,720 acres, the Sta. Rita Hills AVA is home to over 59 vineyards, totaling 2,700 hundred acres planted to Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and 18 other cool climate wine grape varieties. The combination of a purely East/West maritime throat, poor marine-based soils, elevated calcium in the soil and the Pacific’s cooling influence through fog, wind and moderating summer heat combine to form one of the world’s best cool-climate viticulture areas for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Ripe apple and honeysuckle aromas meet with gunmetal on the nose of this bottling. Fresh citrusy flavors meet with toasted hazelnut, hint of flint and chilled apple flesh on the palate.