Delicate aromas of lemon peel, flint and minerality lead to a lingering finish of ripe melon. Vineberg Chardonnay is usually made in 10% new French oak barrels, resulting in a Chablis-like style. There was a lot of rainfall in February, followed by relatively low sunshine throughout the spring and early summer. Budbreak was slightly later than average, but the weather was ideal, resulting in a good number of bunches and consistent fruit set. In summer, there was ample sunshine and ocean influence, and no severe heat waves. The mild summer, followed by sunshine and warm temperatures in the fall, allowed the fruit to gradually develop sugar levels and become complex. The harvest was 20-30% higher than usual. Vineberg Vineyards 100%
Vineberg Vineyards, located in the Carneros Flats, is in the Los Carneros AVA in southern Sonoma County. Silvarado purchased the property in 1999 and planted vines the following year on either side of the marshland they chose to protect. Five clones were grafted onto two different rootstocks for complexity, and the vines were planted closely together to reduce yields per vine for concentrated flavor. Soil + Climate
Formerly a sandy, stony apple orchard, Vineberg Vineyards is now planted on Huatica Loam, Light Loam, and River Wash soils. Persistent ocean breezes from San Pablo Bay provide refreshing acidity despite the residual sugar levels. The Mediterranean-style stone winery was founded in 1981 by Walt Disney's daughter, the late Diane Disney Miller, and her husband Ron Miller, and is built on a small hillside off the Silverado Trail in the heart of the Stags Leap District. Silverado is named after an abandoned silver mine near the current winery.
In the mid-1970s, Ron and Diane decided to buy land and move to Napa's Stags Leap District. They fell in love with the quality of the grapes they grew and began building a winery in 1981. They decided to bring to market the best wines that Silverado in Napa Valley could produce at the right price. Today, the name "Silverado Vineyards" represents the Miller family's long-standing commitment to Napa Valley wine. Stags Leap District is one of the smallest AVAs in Napa Valley and one of the most famous wine-producing regions. In 1976, California Cabernet Sauvignon won first place at the Paris tasting, beating out France's Grand Vin. The grapes used for that Cabernet Sauvignon were from Stags Leap District. Cabernet from a vineyard owned by Harry See (See's Candy) was used for this blend, and in 1968, See sold the vineyard to Ron and Diane. This land is Silverado's flagship vineyard. In a winery equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, the harvested grapes are meticulously vinified in small lots, and the handcrafted wines reflect Silverado's land, philosophy, and wine style. In the relentless pursuit of quality, Silverado is constantly researching and developing its cultivation and winemaking, and is constantly striving to improve and improve vine spacing, training methods, rootstock selection, new yeasts, custom-made barrels, and the introduction of modern equipment to achieve a more gentle pressing process. Silverado currently owns seven vineyards and cultivates Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot, Sangiovese, Zinfandel, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Each vineyard uses different cultivation methods to suit the soil, climate, grape variety, etc. of the vineyard. Silvarado's winemaking philosophy is rooted in the vineyard.
Jack Stewart says, "A wine is only as good as the vineyard where its grapes are grown. Ultimately, it is the quality of the vineyard that determines our reputation."