Red Car Sonoma Coast Chardonnay features some of the coldest Chardonnay vineyards in California, combined with a few of best known Chardonnay vineyards in our area. A significant portion of the blend hails from the Ritchie Vineyard, originally planted in the early 1970s and famous the world over. In 2014, conditions were outstanding for Chardonnay in the West Sonoma Coast. Moderate temperatures, plenty of sunshine, a balanced crop, and few if any significant episodes of rain before harvest yielded grapes with high acid and complex flavors at reasonably low sugars, which resulted in wines with naturally moderate alcohol levels. Our Chardonnay grapes are pressed off their skins and fermented in French Oak barrels, the majority of which are older, neutral and not terribly “oaky.” The resulting wines are racy and taut, medium bodied and complex with a mineral edge.