A cool Sonoma Coast Chardonnay with crisp acidity and fragrant aromas of toasted almonds and caramel, providing excellent balance.
The gorgeous aroma of orange blossom, wet stone, and subtle cinnamon overlaps with the rich flavors of lemon custard, pear, and creme brûlée in the mouth. The finish is irresistible with the aroma of vanilla and cardamom.
Serve with a salad loaded with chicken and Parmesan cheese in a lemony dressing.
Michael Pozan is very skilled at blending grape varieties to bring out their individuality to the fullest. Thanks to his long-standing and friendly relationships with growers in Napa and Sonoma, he is able to select excellent grapes every year in addition to the grapes from his own vineyards in Calistoga. High quality and exceptional value are the main characteristics of his wines. Michael Pozan Winery currently produces approximately 100,000 cases per year and has a variety of brands. Three of these brands, Giapposa, Napa 1847, and Rutherford Road, have joined the Iconic Wine Japan portfolio.
The winery was founded in 1991 by Michael and his wife Mary Ann. A California native, Michael grew up in the Berkeley Hills in the San Francisco Bay Area. He was introduced to the world of wine early on, visiting his grandfather's farm in Dry Creek Valley near Healdsburg. A road near his grandfather's farm in Dry Creek Valley still bears the Pauzan family name.
Michael's interest in winemaking began when he was working as a salesperson at a winery. During this time, he saw the entire winemaking process, from harvest to bottling, and visited a winery in Napa to learn the basics of winemaking. He then decided to get a wine barrel and bottle his own wine, and became deeply involved in winemaking. Thus, he began his wine career as a négociant-style winemaker.
Michael's first label was Deer Springs, producing 250 cases each of Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay (although the label is no longer available).
Michael's wines are made largely from grapes grown in Napa, Sonoma and Lodi. In 2018, Michael acquired a unique vineyard in Calistoga that was originally planted to Zinfandel in the 1880s and replanted to Cabernet Sauvignon in 2010.
Pozan Winery is a family-owned winery. Michael's wife Mary Ann, his son Dante, and his brother Joseph and his wife Kimberly make up the Pozan Winery team. Michael continues to oversee winemaking with consulting winemaker Molly Lippitt. Molly brings deep winemaking insight from her experience working with legendary winemakers such as Heidi Barrett, Philippe Melka, Mike Harvey, and Julian Fayard. Molly was previously winemaker at Volker Eisel Family Estate, associate winemaker at Moontze Vineyards, and assistant winemaker at Paradigm Winery. She has also worked at Duckhorn Vineyards, Relic Wine Cellars, Talisman, and Whitehaven Vineyards in New Zealand.