Chardonnay Reserve Anderson Valley, Valley Foothills Vineyard

Located in the rugged terrain of northern California, near the banks of the Upper Russian River and the foothills of the Mayacamas, Saracina Vineyards encompasses a 400-acre working ranch and California Certified Sustainable winery. Amidst breathtaking vistas and rolling hills, this biodiverse estate boasts a grove of 140-year-old olive trees, vegetable gardens, beehives, alpacas, goats, and a variety of native wildlife. Family lies at the core of the estate—a principle upheld since its establishment in 2001. Since 2018, the Taub family has proudly stewarded the land, forging an even stronger foundation for excellence through extensive soil analysis and pioneering a full organic conversion and water conservation system. With Saracina Vineyards, the Taub family is committed to bringing Mendocino to the forefront of quality winemaking, showcasing the unique terroir and dedication to sustainability that define their approach.

The growing season was marked by very low precipitation, with smaller than average yields and cluster weights. The trade-off, concentration of fruit, was simply astounding. We harvested on September 17, 2021.

The grapes were harvested by hand. Whole clusters were fed directly to press. The following morning the racked juice was moved to Francois Freres barrels, 25% new, where it underwent and completed native yeast primary fermentation. Bi-weekly batonnage was performed through completion of malolactic fermentation in late February. The wine remained on lees for a full year prior to bottling.

As the wine coats your mouth, flavors of ripe pear and white peach emerge, lending a delightful fruitiness.