Tasting Notes: “The 2021 Arroyo Vista Chardonnay exhibits intriguing aromas of paperwhites, Meyer lemon, ripe apple, pear, and crème brulée. The rich palate texture is balanced by layered flavors of pear, lemon cream, baking spices, and minerality, with a long, sweet oak finish.” - Kristen Barnhisel, Winemaker, White Wine.

The 2021 growing season in the Arroyo Seco was characterized by the coolest spring and summer in a decade. The cool weather during the summer provided a slow and even ripening of the grapes, while the afternoon winds helped to keep the fruit healthy until harvest. Most of the blend is still clone 76 from the original Arroyo Vista block, now in its second re-planted vintage, contributing ripe pear, apple, and lemon flavors. We are excited to include the Mt. Eden clone, which offers daffodil, Meyer lemon, and tangerine flavors. Clone 17 adds white floral, strawberries and cream, and white peach characters; clone 95 brings yellow peach and rich texture to the blend, and clone 96 adds bright acidity, apple, and apricot.

Winemaker Notes: Our J. Lohr Arroyo Vista Chardonnay is grown in the heart of the windswept, cool Arroyo Seco AVA of Monterey County. Loamy sand and gravelly loam soils of the Elder series are intermixed and underlain by “Greenfield potatoes” - cobblestones that absorb heat during the day and radiate it after sunset. This underlayment of stone effectively limits root growth to the top three to five feet of soil, harmoniously balancing the fruit and shoot growth.

Varietal Composition: 100% Chardonnay