DeRose Vineyards Estate Chardonnay

Crafted in the unique, high-altitude Cienega Valley AVA of San Benito County, California, DeRose Vineyards Estate Chardonnay is a distinctive, small-production California white wine produced by the DeRose family. Established in 1988 on historic vineyard land dating back to 1854, DeRose Vineyards sits directly atop the San Andreas Fault, where ancient granite, limestone, and gravelly loam soils impart a striking mineral backbone to the grapes. Sourced from dry-farmed, low-yielding estate vines situated at over 1,100 feet above sea level, the vineyard benefits from intense warm sunshine balanced by crisp evening mountain breezes and ocean air from Monterey Bay. Hand-harvested at peak balance, the Chardonnay grapes undergo gentle pressing followed by primary fermentation in temperature-controlled tanks and select oak barrels. Maturation on the fine lees with periodic stirring (bâtonnage) imparts a rich, silky textural volume without masking the wine's vibrant natural acidity and limestone minerality.

Food Pairing: Pan-seared sea scallops, roast chicken with herbs, butter-poached lobster, crab cakes, creamy mushroom fettuccine, grilled salmon, and mild soft cheeses like Brie or Camembert.