# Racines Chardonnay (2023)

- **Producer:** Racines
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Chardonnay
- **Region:** California, United States
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 12.5%
- **Average price:** €45
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 10–12 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** lemon, apple, peach, stone fruit, nectarine, butter, toast, smoke

## About this wine

Racines is an international joint venture created by Etienne de Montille and Brian Sieve of Burgundy's Domaine de Montille, alongside Rodolphe Peters of Champagne Pierre Peters. Seeking a cool-climate terroir outside France capable of crafting Chardonnay with elegance and tension, they chose the maritime-influenced Santa Rosa Road corridor in Santa Barbara County. The project combines centuries of French winemaking heritage with distinctive California coastal vineyards.

## Interesting facts

- A collaboration between Burgundian icon Domaine de Montille and Champagne producer Pierre Peters.
- Vineyards are situated in high-wind coastal corridors influenced by Pacific Ocean fogs.
- Uses a dual-phase aging process in French oak barrels followed by stainless steel on full lees.

## Food pairing

The lively acidity and mineral tension cut through rich seafood and creamy sauces, while subtle oak integration nicely matches roast poultry and savory mushrooms.

## Wine making process

The grapes are harvested from cool coastal sites in Santa Barbara County and Sta. Rita Hills. Fermentation is conducted using 100% native yeasts in a combination of 500L puncheons and 228L French oak barrels with approximately 25% new oak. The wine is aged for 11 months in barrel followed by 7 months on full lees in stainless steel tanks prior to bottling to preserve mineral clarity and freshness.