About The Wine
Our single-vineyard Chardonnays feature a highly selective and worthy collection of vineyard-designated wines, bottled individually to showcase the
nuanced characteristics of Chardonnay. Pali's 'Chapel Vineyards' (formerly Huber Vineyard) Chardonnay comes from one of the oldest vineyards in
the Sta. Rita Hills appellation, where the vines have been meticulously cared for and maintained since 1986. Each vintage benefits from the appellation's cool climate, ocean breezes, coastal fog, and incredible loam soils. The Chardonnay went through a long-cold fermentation before it was barrel-aged in 50% new French oak barrels and 50% neutral French oak barrels for 480 days before bottled.
The AVA
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.
Winemaker Notes
Very creamy on the nose–shows aromas of peach custard, marshmallow and sea-salt-flecked butter. The palate is also rich with smoked butter, more salt and white-peach flesh, but captures that classic style in a balanced manner.
Accolades
91 Points, Wine Enthusiast