An intensely concentrated and flavourful Californian Chardonnay

Grape: 100% Chardonnay

Region: Sierra Foothills, Chardonnay

This wine comes from a unique site high in the Sierra Foothills just outside of the town of Murphys. The vines are own-rooted and planted in the late sixties in schist soils over a limestone bedrock and was recently purchased by Matthew Rorick and his family. The vine age, elevation, and rocky soils create incredibly low yielding vines with the tiniest of clusters. The grapes were hand harvested and gently pressed using a long Champagne press cycle. Juice was transferred to neutral barrels and fermentation occur red spontaneously. Long slow barrel fermentations with no added sulfur. Bottled after 18 months in barrel with approximately 20 ppm total sulfur added.

An extremely expressive nose. White flower and concentrated citrus: Neroli oil and tangerine. The weight is viscous and oily but with a bright, cleansing acidity. A mineral palate of wet stone and earth. A wine that speaks strongly of the site it comes from rocky and wild. 

Michael Cruse was born and raised in Northern California and prides himself on producing wines that are unabashedly Californian and inherently delicious. Michael came to the wine business through his love of science. His moment of enlightenment was attending a lecture at Cal Berkeley by none other than Terry Leighton of Kalin Cellars! Michael was able to envision a path where his deep knowledge and appreciation for science could take him into the world of wine.

🍇 Organic practices