2019 Ritchie Horseshoe Block Chardonnay

Kent Ritchie’s Eastside Road Vineyard has a reputation for making some of the best Chardonnays in Sonoma County. Good drainage from the sloping property, in conjunction with the unique soil profile of Goldridge and volcanic ash deposits make for top-notch grapes that display acidity and intensity. This wine comes from the prized Horseshoe Block of Ritchie Vineyard, which features Wente clone plantings whose vines are over 40 years old and yield a tantalizing chardonnay with wonderful tropical fruit elements, extraordinary minerality and vibrant acidity.

The 2019 growing season was incredibly even in ripening, with cooler temperatures perfect for Chardonnay. The grapes for this wine were picked by hand on September 14th and sorted by hand before being cold-settled for 24 hours. The wine was then barreled down and fermented in 100% French oak, with daily barrel stirring during primary fermentation. Native yeasts were used to kick off a 16-day fermentation. The wine was then aged for an additional 11 months in barrel, with lees contact to produce secondary fermentation.

This incredible wine made from a block selection of the iconic old-vine Wente Clone plantings of Ritchie Vineyard merges lively energy with full body, ripe lemon, and underscores of red apple, cream and minerality. Ritchie Vineyard has a reputation for becoming some of the best Chardonnays in Sonoma County. This wine is set up for longterm aging, while also being approachable now.