A Chardonnay with such rich flavor without malolactic fermentation! This exquisite wine is born from focusing on grape cultivation and keeping the winemaking process as simple as possible.
100% of the vineyards are owned by the estate, with clones 4, 76, 95, Mount Eden, Hansel, Hudson, Wente and Melville Selection. The Chardonnay was planted in 1997, mainly on the west side of the estate, in areas with varying degrees of sand. The west side is subject to very harsh cold sea winds, and grows in nutrient-poor, well-drained soil, which gives it the lively minerality and concentrated flavors that are characteristic of this AVA. The vines are planted closely together, so all the vines are hand-picked.
The grapes were gently whole-cluster pressed, allowed to settle overnight, then gravity transferred to barrels and fermented in neutral French oak barrels that were over 15 years old.
The aromas of clementine and early pineapple, as well as the gentle breeze of the Pacific Ocean, are apparent. The smooth yet firm texture and appetizing notes of pineapple core, Japanese pear and orange blossom are present. Bright acidity and a touch of ocean minerals bring this wine together, producing a long and refreshing finish.
Melville's founder, Ron Melville, was influenced by his father and had been familiar with the soil since he was a child. He started a vineyard in Sonoma's Knights Valley in 1987. He cultivated Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and other grapes, and the high quality of the grapes led to many famous wineries in the area to purchase them. In 1997, the Melville family decided to move from Sonoma to Santa Barbara. They had long envisioned making Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in a cool climate in the Santa Rita Hills. This area is only 10 miles (16 km) from the sea, and fog rolls in in the mornings and evenings, with cool winds from the sea blowing in in the afternoons. This cool climate is not only ideal for cultivating Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah, but also has a long growing season and produces concentrated flavors. The soil is sandy with limestone rocks, which produces fruits with firm acidity. Convinced of the greatness of this land, Ron also contributed greatly to the AVA certification of Santa Rita Hills (2001). Currently, Melville grows 16 clones of Pinot Noir, 9 varieties of Syrah, and 6 varieties of Chardonnay in its 120 acres of vineyards. At Melville, the characteristics and qualities of each clone are important, and they are grown in separate areas of the vineyard. In addition, during winemaking, each clone is fermented in a separate barrel, and every effort is made to bring out its individuality to the fullest. Ron's son, Chad, has been involved in grape growing with his father and brothers since 1997. He is very proud of the fact that he and his family grow grapes with their own hands on their own land and make wine, doing all of this process in-house. In 2015, he took on the position of winemaker, and is pouring his passion for grape growing and winemaking into wine.
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