Label Animal: Great White Shark Great white sharks are known to frequent the cold, rough waters along the Sonoma Coast, north of San Francisco.
In this region, vineyards contend with fog, mist and cool summer temperatures.
These factors help preserve the grapes' acidity and give the wine the structure and slight bite it desires.
If we were to choose a true top predator worthy of our juggernaut Chardonnay, we couldn't ask for a better choice than our Great White.
This Chardonnay's complex and refined palate is achieved through a combination of French and American oak, stainless steel tanks and sur lie ageing.
Each technique brings something special to the final blend: the vanilla bean and butter cream from the oak barrels, the stone fruit varietal notes from the stainless steel tanks, and the rounded, luxurious mouthfeel from sur lie ageing.
A well-balanced Chardonnay with a refreshing taste from the first sip.
This cool-climate Chardonnay is dominated by crisp green apple, Asian pear and lemon meringue pie.
The mid-palate reveals subtle flavors of stone fruit, honeysuckle and yellow plum, while barrel fermentation and sur lie aging finish this Chardonnay with a rich vanilla bean flavor.
Balanced acidity gives structure to this lively wine, making for a perfect mouthfeel experience.
Why the Sonoma Coast Produces Great Chardonnay The Sonoma Coast experiences fog and strong winds all year round.
Even the grapes in the lower-altitude vineyards here strive to capture every drop of sunlight in order to fully ripen Burgundy varieties such as Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
The result is grapes with low sugar content and high acidity, which give them a firm structure and a refreshing flavor that suits a variety of dishes.
It is born only by overcoming difficulties.
The grapes for this wine grow under difficult conditions.
Only true courage and determination can produce great results.
Determined Cabernet vines send roots down steep, rocky slopes, reaching deep in search of vital moisture, while indomitable Pinot Noir vines brave the inhospitable conditions, exposed to wind and fog, vying for precious hours of warmth and sunlight during their long growing season.