Chardonnay

We are pleased to be able to offer two different Chardonnay wines for your enjoyment. Please click on the following links for details.

Rusack ChardonnayChardonnay, Santa Barbara County, 2011

The truly distinctive flavors from the cool Northern and Western extremes of Santa Barbara County come together in this bottle. Here, our love of blending has resulted in a marriage of exceptional fruit aromas with carefully balanced acidity, capturing the best qualities of the area. Honeydew melon, Asian pear, orange blossom, as well as citrus notes are highlighted in this appealingly crisp white wine.

The grapes for our Santa Barbara County Chardonnay hail from two cool-climate vineyards within the County – Bien Nacido and Sierra Madre vineyards in Santa Maria Valley. After being pressed and settled, the juice was barrel fermented in a mixture of new (37%) and older French oak barrels. The lees were stirred for four months, and the wine underwent a full malolactic fermentation. The Chardonnay aged nine months in barrel before being released in Autumn 2012. 1,400 cases were produced.

You can order this wine directly from the winery, please click here to go to our secure online store.

Optimum Storage Conditions:
Constant temperature, 55-58° F, darkness

Aging Potential:
To enjoy young fruit aromas, consume within 1-2 years of bottling date. For extended aging under ideal conditions, consume within 2-5 years of bottling date.

Vineyards:
Bien Nacido (54%), Sierra Madre (46%)

Bottle analysis:
Alcohol 14.3%, pH 3.27, TA 0.630 g/100ml, Residual Sugar 0.198%

Please click here for a printable version of these notes.