Alma Rosa Chardonnay, Sta. Rita Hills 2023 (750ml)

*COMING SOON*

Winemaking
100% whole cluster pressed
Settled for 24 hours in stainless steel tanks before being racked into barrels
50% malolactic fermentation occurred naturally and lasted until February
Aged on gross lees for 10 months in 36% new French oak and 64% neutral French oak

Vintage Notes
The 2023 vintage began with a record amount of rainfall, setting the stage for a long, cool growing season that extended into a later harvest. The prolonged ripening period allowed the grapes to develop slowly and gradually, with small berries and clusters. Daily marine breezes from the Pacific Ocean, just 10 miles away, and the absence of extreme weather events created ideal conditions for producing fruit of exceptional quality, bright acidity, concentration and character.

Tasting Notes
Pale straw yellow in the glass, the 2023 Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay opens with aromas of citrus blossoms, stone fruit and coastal breeze. On the palate flavors of yellow apple and stony minerality add depth and intrigue, framed by lively acidity that carries through to a long, saline finish. This wine beautifully expresses the cool-climate elegance and oceanic characteristic of wines from Alma Rosa’s El Jabali estate.

History of Alma Rosa
Alma Rosa is an estate deeply rooted in the winemaking history of the Santa Rosa Hills in the southern sector of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA. Here, growing conditions combine sunshine with the powerful cooling influence of onshore winds and fog from the Pacific Ocean.

The unique geography, chilly climate, and clay-loam soils attracted Alma Rosa Founder Richard Sanford to this area in the early 70s where he pioneered Pinot Noir in Santa Barbara County. Today, under the leadership of Proprietors Bob and Barb Zorich and Winemaker Samra Morris, Alma Rosa remains dedicated to crafting wines that embody the best of the Sta. Rita Hills while preserving the authenticity and sustainability of the estate’s terroir.

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