Chardonnay "Estate Grown", Dierberg, Sta Maria Valley, CA 2018

VINTAGE NOTES
We agree with most that 2020 was a stellar vintage in Santa Barbara County in
general and exceptional for the Sta. Rita Hills. Though we saw some
exceptional heat spikes in Sta. Rita Hills around Labor Day, this was followed
by a beautifully cool spell which rewarded patience. This ended up providing a
longer growing season than usual and allowing for optimal ripeness while
maintaining the hallmark acidity and balance that has come to define the Sta.
Rita Hills appellation. There is an intensity to the Chardonnay from this region
that supports the excitement around the world-class quality potential from this
varietal in the Sta. Rita Hills.

WINEMAKER NOTES
This was a terrific vintage to kick off our very first offering of this label of
Dierberg Vineyard Chardonnay from Sta. Rita Hills. We used whole-cluster
pressing as we often have for the grey label wine, and a combination of oak
that remained mostly neutral. Judicious use of ML was used to bring the
acidity into balance and contribute to the body.

TASTING NOTES
Apple blossom and a structured richness define this vintage, with citrus and mineral framing the whole wine.
There is a suppleness that was provided by the vintage and makes this a lovely, balanced Chardonnay.

"These Dierberg releases are made by Tyler Thomas and have pure, classy, impeccably made profiles." Jeb Dunnuck

"The quality and consistency of the Chardonnay coming from Santa Barbara County today is truly incredible, and you don’t have to spend a lot of money either. Most estate’s entry-level cuvées are exceptional and give many of their more expensive single vineyard releases a run for their money." Jeb Dunnuck