Marine Layer Charles Heintz Vineyard Chardonnay 2020 750ml

Located in the Green Valley sub-AVA, Charles Heintz Vineyard is just outside of the town of Occidental. Just ~7 miles from the Pacific Ocean, Heintz has become one of the most famous Chardonnay sites in California. The Chardonnay from this vineyard develops slowly as foggy, cool evenings slow down ripening significantly, especially at the end of the season. The soil is a classic sandy Goldridge loam. The resulting wines are prized for their layers of flavor and incredible depth, yet they also retain beautiful structural elements. Owner and grower, Charlie Heintz’s family has farmed this land for over 100 years.

Hand-picked at night, whole cluster direct to press, and ever so lightly pressed. Cold settled for 24 hours and then put into one neutral Stockinger oak puncheon (second-fill). Cool native ferment at 58-60°F for 14-16 days. Spontaneous malolactic fermentation. Puncheons were stirred once per month through May 2021 then racked gently to tank in August. Total of 11 months in puncheon. Bottled unfined and lightly filtered.