# Racines Sta. Rita Hills Cuvée Chardonnay (2018)

- **Producer:** Racines Wine
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Chardonnay
- **Region:** California, United States
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.0%
- **Average price:** €50
- **Contains sulphites:** No
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 10–13 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** pear, honeysuckle, citrus zest, flint

## About this wine

The Racines Sta. Rita Hills Cuvée Chardonnay 2018 is a white wine from California's Sta. Rita Hills AVA, produced by Racines Wine. This project is a collaboration between renowned French winemakers from Burgundy and Champagne and American winemaker Justin Willett. The philosophy behind Racines is to craft wines of purity and transparency that express the unique vineyard sites and the cool-climate characteristics of the Sta. Rita Hills region. The 2018 vintage is specifically noted for its bright and perfumed profile.

## Interesting facts

- A Franco-American winemaking dream team.
- Sta. Rita Hills: A cool climate for California Chardonnay.
- Limestone-rich soils shape its character.
- 2018 vintage: Bright, airy, and perfumed.

## Food pairing

The wine's medium+ body and bright acidity make it versatile. Its minerality and subtle oak influence complement seafood and poultry, while its acidity cuts through richer sauces and creamy textures. The wine's aromatic complexity can also stand up to dishes with earthy notes like mushrooms.

## Wine making process

The Racines Sta. Rita Hills Cuvée Chardonnay is produced using a combination of traditional and site-specific techniques. Fermentation is initiated with indigenous yeasts in French oak barrels, including puncheons and barriques, with a portion of new oak used to add subtle complexity. Following barrel aging for approximately 11-12 months, the wine undergoes a further 5-6 months of maturation in stainless steel tanks on its fine lees. This process is designed to highlight the purity and transparency of the fruit and the unique characteristics of the Sta. Rita Hills terroir.