100% Chardonnay, planted in 1974

Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, CA

97 points North Coast Wine Challenge; 91 pts Tasting Panel

Mill Station lies in a very cool area of Sonoma County and lends a distinct minerality and structural backbone to the wines produced here. The vineyard was planted by Warren Dutton in 1974.

The rolling hills and gentle slopes near the town of Sebastopol were once home to apple orchards filled with songbirds. By the early 1990’s though, most of the orchards were replanted with grapes. The factors that define a quality Chardonnay vineyard are numerous, but Nick Goldschmidt believes matching varietal and rootstock to the right vineyard site yields the most flavorful grapes. High quality grapes grow only under certain optimum soil conditions, including a balance of nutrients within certain clays. These clay minerals play a critical role, as they can retain water and act as harbors for nutrients better than other soil types. Clays that offer slow nutrient transfer to grape vine plants are preferred.

Winemaker Nick Goldschmidt has been working with the Dutton Ranch fruit since 1990.

“Chardonnay is great to work-with, as the range of styles is very broad and permits a lot of flexibility. The Mill Station site on Poplar Way allows me to create a Chardonnay with lush, alluring flavors and bright acidity. I just love this vineyard.” – Winemaker Nick Goldschmidt

“Shortly after harvest, ribbons of starlings swarm acrobatically above Sonoma County and feast on the last of the fallen grapes. At dusk, they settle into trees that surround the vineyard and, in that moment, the trees sing. This Chardonnay croons intensely beautiful, bright, melodic notes of lemon peach and honeysuckle” – Winemaker Nick Goldschmidt

Aging: 18 months

Barrels: 6 total, French (1) Francois Freres oak barrel, new (5) Seguin Moreau, neutral

Toast: Medium-plus

Stirring the lees: adds nuance and structure

This wine is unfiltered.