Estancia Chardonnay grapes are grown in our Pinnacles Vineyard on the east side of the Salinas Valley at the base of the Gavilan Mountains, with additional fruit from the Santa Lucia Highlands to the west. The cool climate and sandy, well-drained soils keep yields low and fruit intensity high.
The 2006 harvest began with an unusually wet spring followed by multiple cloudy days during the first few weeks of summer. These cooler weather conditions allowed the vines to develop slowly before the summer heat crept into the valley. The result was a shortened growing season which attributed to an elegant, full-bodied, mouth-filling Chardonnay. A dollop of oak highlights the ripe stone fruit flavors and tropical notes and add a soft, creamy finish.