First planted in 1970 our Chardonnay vineyard in the Oak Knoll district of Napa Valley was planted to what is now known as our Heirloom Clone. Soils are Pleasanton and Yolo Series Loam. Our Monticello Vineyards designated Chardonnays are a great example of how the our Heirloom Clone and rootstock showed its sophistication with in the different soil combinations specific to our vineyard and create a most harmonious wine. Although we work with the same estate vineyard blocks each vintage, it is always interesting to see how they conduct themselves in any given season. They adapt to the season, and so do we. The differences in each growing season are what makes winemaking so fascinating, and these seasonal differences are one reason why the blends shift from year to year even though the grapes come from the same field. The result is a fully ripe, lower alcohol, extremely well balanced wine that should show well for several years. The wines were typically fermented in new French Oak and stainless steel and aged for 8 months in new and neutral French Oak Barrels (about 1/3 new). 12+ Months in French Oak.