2020 unoaked Tondre Chardonnay
Grapes sourced from the Tondre Grapefield in Santa Lucia Highlands. Never barrel aged to allow the true varietal character to show through. Crisp apple and pear with minerality and melon.
A truly enjoyable wine.
This vintage of our unoaked Tondre Chardonnay has a beautiful pale hue, and medium straw color. Aromas of apple, pear and lemon grass accompained with scents of juicy melon. The balanced smoothness of this wine boasts flavors of ripe pear and apple that give it an elegant, beautiful balance that is seamless from start to finish. Bright, Lean and refreshing, this chardonnay produces all the fruit notes, with a quicker finish.
Production Process:
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Grapes are harvested in the beginning-middle of September. They are hand picked and hand sorted at the vineyard.
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Grapes are destemmed and softly crushed. The must is pressed immediately gently separated from its skins.
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24 hour cold soak begins and then fermentation begins at a controlled temperature.
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ML Fermentation occurs with on lees aging in our stainless steel barrels. Stirring occurs 4-6 times a day.
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The wine is then transferred to stainless steel where clarification and body stability concludes.
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Once bottled, we age another 3-6 months before releasing for enjoyment.
Food Pairing Notes: Pairs well with sushi, clams and mussels. Any flaky white fish and fun citrus salads are fun and stylish pairs. Try with eggs and curry dishes too!
Serving Temperature: 45-55°F
Enjoy it within: 3 years (can be cellared up to 5 years)
Recommended Glass: Full White
| Download Wine Notes |
| Vintage | 2020 |
| Varietal | Chardonnay |
| Appellation | Santa Lucia Highlands |
| Vineyard | Tondre Grapefield |
| Harvest Date | 09/05/2020 |
| Aging | stainless steel |
| Alcohol | 12.80% |
| Wine Style | unoaked Chard |
| Volume | 750 ml |
| Bottling Date | 10/15/2021 |
| Cases Produced | 100 |
| Country of Origin | UNITED STATES |
| State of Origin | California |
| Artificially Carbonated | No |
| Sparkling Wine | No |
In 1997, Tondré Grapefield was planted on 6 ½ acres. It has grown to 104 acres and rests in the heart of the Santa Lucia Highland Appellation, Monterey County.
Joe Alarid currently farms a wide range of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay clones to ensure that there is a medley of fruit and sufficient Tondré pedigree character to suit vintner stylistic preferences. He also grows a very limited amount of Syrah and Riesling. Included in the broad spectrum of Pinot Noir plantings are clones 115, Pommard 4, 777, 943, 667, 828 and Swan. Chardonnay clones include 76, 96, 543 and New York.
Vignerons regard the Santa Lucia Highlands Appellation as one of the crown jewels of California agriculture for Pinot and Chardonnay grapes. The importance and interdependence of combining grower and vintner is omnipresent for wine quality assurance and protection of a vineyard designation vintage by vintage. Joe carefully chooses vignerons to ensure that wines made from Tondré Grapefield fruit are among the premier wines of the Santa Lucia Highland appellation.
This distinguished appellation has protruding, southeast-facing slopes, strong maritime influences from Monterey Bay and ancient glacial soils consisting of decomposed granite, gravel and sandy loam. The unique location of Tondré Grapefield allows the grapes to have an extended “hang time”, meaning more sunlight on the vine, more grape ripening and sufficient cool-down in the evening to firm up the fruit’s natural acidity. Tondré Grapefield vines have deep soil penetration and mineral extraction giving the grapes distinctively intense flavor.
tondrewines.com
