Ryder Estate Chardonnay 2015

The grapes for our Chardonnay are sourced from estate vineyards situated in the northernmost, cool-climate region of Monterey County. The moderate, maritime growing conditions and cool temperatures are ideal for Chardonnay, producing wines that are fresh and distinctive with intense varietal character and balanced acidity.

At the winery, the fruit is carefully sorted, gently whole-cluster pressed, then chilled, lightly settled and inoculated with select yeast. The juice is slowly fermented in stainless steel at cool temperatures to preserve the fresh fruit aromatics and crisp, luscious flavors. After fermentation, about 70% of the wine is aged in stainless steel tanks. The remainder of the blend is aged on new French oak to add lovely notes of vanilla, spice and toast.

Our Ryder Estate Chardonnay is bright, focused and elegant with aromas of vanilla, orange blossom and red delicious apple. Medium bodied with crisp acidity, the flavors are rich, ripe and tropical with notes of white peach, Asian pear, vanilla and honeyed oak.