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Claire Hill

Lolonis Vineyard Chardonnay 2021

$35.00

Lolonis Vineyard Chardonnay 2021

Claire Hill

Lolonis Vineyard Chardonnay 2021

$35.00

This bottling of Chardonnay comes from the oldest vineyard portion of the property. Planted in the winter of 1946-47, this is the second oldest Chardonnay planting in California (the oldest is a year older and located in Napa).

This vineyard has been farmed organically since the beginning and is certified by CCOF. This old vine Chardonnay block is dry-farmed and produces exceptionally small yields of beautiful quality.

The 2021 vintage saw a continuation of California’s extreme draught conditions and yields in this dry-farmed old vine block were one-third of normal. With incredibly small clusters and thick skins with concentrated flavor, I chose to press the grapes with a bit more pressure than usual. 

After pressing, the must is left to settle overnight to allow the largest solids in suspension to drop out (the bourbes). These solids are usually comprised of things like dust, small bits of stem, pectins, and other dense particles. The following day, I move the cleaner juice suspended above the bourbes into used French oak barrel.

All told, the 2021 vintage remained on its fine lees for 15 months before bottling.

-Claire Hill