# The Hilt Estate Chardonnay (2021)

- **Producer:** The Hilt
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Chardonnay
- **Region:** California, United States
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.0%
- **Average price:** €58
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** No
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 10–12 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** loquat, yellow flesh peach, lemon, apricot, baking spice, brioche, sweet cream, honey, lime zest, sea salt

## About this wine

The Hilt Estate Chardonnay 2021 is a single-varietal Chardonnay from the Sta. Rita Hills appellation in California, produced by The Hilt winery. The estate emphasizes sustainable viticulture and aims to express the nuances of its vineyards. The Sta. Rita Hills AVA is known for its cool climate, poor soils, and windswept conditions, which contribute to slow ripening and retained acidity in the grapes. The 2021 vintage is characterized by its mouthwatering acidity, which frames and focuses the wine.

## Interesting facts

- Grapes grown on poor soils limit vine vigor for concentrated flavors.
- Vineyards benefit from cool, coastal winds of Sta. Rita Hills.
- Winemaker Matt Dees aims for elegance and precision.
- Sustainable viticulture includes banning herbicides and pesticides.

## Food pairing

The wine's bright acidity cuts through the richness of creamy sauces and fatty proteins, while its fruit notes complement dishes featuring stone fruit and citrus. Earthy mushroom flavors in food find a natural echo in the wine's aromatic complexity.

## Wine making process

The Hilt Estate Chardonnay 2021 is produced from 100% Chardonnay grapes grown in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA. Following harvest, the wine undergoes fermentation in a combination of French oak (35% new, 60% neutral) and stainless steel (5%). It is then aged for 11 months in these vessels, followed by an additional six months on lees in stainless steel tanks. The winery emphasizes sustainable viticulture, including the prohibition of herbicides and pesticides, and the integration of agriculture with livestock.