***BOTTLING EARLY JUNE, SHIPPING BEGINS MID-MONTH***
It’s been almost a year since we landed a wine from the Green Valley of the Russian River Valley AVA, so for the thousands of you that have joined our treasure hunt since, here’s the scoop!
The Green Valley (affectionately dubbed “Russian River Valley on steroids” by our team) is the coolest AVA in all of Sonoma, blanketed by a persistent layer of fog that preserves acidity and extends hang time for enhanced flavor maturation. It’s also loaded with Goldridge soil – a rare sandy loam formed from ancient seabeds that supercharges the complexity and finesse of any vineyards lucky enough to put down roots. Few places in the world possess such perfect soil + climate conditions for growing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes, and the prices of the wines produced here tend to reflect that reality (some into triple digits). It’s with great pleasure, then, that we announce the acquisition of our latest Chard – a world-class Green Valley find at a phenomenal price under $20 a bottle!
Lot 556 is a 100% single-vineyard Chardonnay from a boutique outfit located in the heart of the Russian River Valley, crafted by a winemaker with an award cabinet chock full of mid-90s scores and gold medals. The grapes come from a small, isolated site that represents the epitome of Green Valley’s cool-climate terroir. Every sip is affirmation that it is indeed possible for a Chardonnay to possess both racy acidity and varietal purity while simultaneously having a soft, rich texture. A small-lot release that’s sold for about $50/bottle under its original label, we negotiated a killer deal and are very pleased to offer it to you at 60% OFF!
Our price: $109/6-pack, $18+/bottle!
Planted near towering redwoods and shrouded in fog, these vines occupy an exceptionally cold microclimate at the hilly edge of Green Valley. The gentle slope provides excellent drainage, and the Goldridge soils produce small clusters of tiny berries, which achieved peak levels of ripeness and excellent concentration. Hand-picked in the early morning, they were whole-cluster pressed before fermentation, then aged in concrete eggs to achieve extra richness and roundness while preserving purity of character and terroir for an absolutely brilliant showcase of Russian River Chardonnay with Burgundian flair.
A lifted nose of bright lemon and white blossoms rises from the glass, followed by bursts of golden apple, pear, and hints of tropical fruit. The palate is vivid and expressive, with a core of vibrant citrus and tropical fruit taking center stage, energized by a thread of spice and well-balanced medium acidity. The wine shows impressive concentration and clarity, culminating in a long, clean finish that reveals umami-laced mango and white blossoms.
