# Estate Chardonnay (2020)

- **Producer:** Melville Winery
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Chardonnay
- **Region:** California, United States
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.4%
- **Contains sulphites:** No
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 10–13 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** peach, green apple, lemon, apricot, pastry, butter, biscuit

## About this wine

The Melville Estate Chardonnay 2020 is a 100% Chardonnay from the Sta. Rita Hills AVA in Santa Barbara County, California. Melville Winery, a family-owned estate, is dedicated to cool-climate viticulture. The vineyard, planted in 1997, benefits from the region's oceanic influence, sandy soils, and cool winds. The winery's philosophy emphasizes minimal intervention and organic farming to express the vineyard's character.

## Interesting facts

- Vines planted in 1997.
- Fermented with native yeast.
- Zero malolactic fermentation.
- Aged sur lie for ten months.

## Food pairing

The wine's bright acidity cuts through the richness of creamy sauces and fattier proteins, while its textural complexity complements dishes with similar mouthfeel. Subtle fruit and mineral notes can echo or contrast with ingredients like citrus, herbs, and certain vegetables.

## Wine making process

The Melville Estate Chardonnay 2020 is produced from 100% Chardonnay grapes. The winemaking begins with gentle whole-cluster pressing followed by cold settling. Fermentation occurs in neutral French oak barrels using native yeasts, with zero malolactic fermentation. The wine is then aged sur lie for ten months in similar neutral oak barrels. Yields were managed at 3.1 lbs per vine, with 1,224 cases produced.