2012 Hilliard Bruce Chardonnay Santa Rita Hills

Inspired by her travels to the Côte de Beaune in Burgundy, Christine Bruce directs the winemaking of the Hilliard Bruce Chardonnay. She makes a single bottling per vintage. 5.3 acres of Chardonnay is planted on the Hilliard Bruce estate with two clones, 76 and 96, imported from Burgundy. The blocks are located in the lowest, coldest corner of the vineyard, and are often the last to see sun during the day. Due to this cool microclimate and the vineyard’s close proximity to the ocean, the grapes maintain a lively acidity over the course of an extended growing season, enabling a lush mouth feel and the ability to age gracefully in 20% new French oak barrels.