Chardonnay Russian River Valley Starr Ridge Vineyards

After eight years of planning and development, Starr Ridge Vineyards has been producing tremendous fruit and will be the source of our first “estate bottled” Chardonnay. We are very excited and proud of this accomplishment, but even more excited about the quality of wine produced from these low-yielding clones planted on a west-facing slope in the hills along the Russian River.


Chardonnay Dejon clones 95 and 96 were selected for this site, due to their favorable flavor profiles, small cluster and berry size, and moderate yields. Close vine spacing was also incorporated to promote competition for water and nutrients, thus further reducing vigor and keeping crop levels (per plant) low. By doing so, flavor potential is maximized and ideal sugar/acid ratios become more obtainable.

• 100% Russian River Valley Chardonnay
• 100% Starr Ridge Vineyard
• 50% Dejon Clone 95
• 50% Dejon Clone 96

These grapes were harvested on September 7, 2000, with a sugar content of 23.6 degrees brix, .63 gm/100 ml total titratable acidity and 3.38 pH.

After an early morning harvest, the grapes were manually sorted and whole-cluster pressed. The juice was then chilled to 50 degrees F and allowed to settle for 36 hours prior to transferring to 60 gallon French oak barrels (35% new) for fermentation. A variety of yeast selections were incorporated for complexity and malolactic fermentation was encouraged to proceed simultaneously with primary fermentation. Lees stirring occurred weekly, with the wine remaining in contact with the lees until consolidation for bottling.

Beautiful, with expansive yet elegant flavors, this wine is layered with complex honeysuckle, melon and citrus … and complexed by hazelnut and toasted oak nuances. Seductive, rich and long, with a surprising and welcome note of acidity bringing tremendous freshness to the mouth filling finish. Great length, as its wonderful fruit components seem to linger forever!