2024 El Jabali Vineyard Chardonnay
2024 El Jabali Vineyard Chardonnay
Description
A classic example of Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay. The aromatics conjure an image of a seaside garden, with scents of fresh peaches and gardenias highlighted by a subtle salinity. The palate is structured and layered, held together with bracing acidity and just a touch of French oak. Stone fruit flavors of nectarines and white peaches are complemented by notes of pineapple, orange zest and toasted almonds. This bright and lively Chardonnay will be perfect for a sunny afternoon poolside, or lay it down for a few years to let it achieve its full potential.Vineyard Notes
El Jabali was first planted by Richard Sanford in 1983. Rugged hillside slopes and higher elevations help to preserve Chardonnay’s natural freshness and acidity. Our blocks are planted to the Wente and 76 clones. They sit on a north facing slope of heavy clay loam, where water from a nearby spring reduces the need for irrigation.Production Notes
Despite the ample winter rains clearing salts from the soil and replenishing ground water, yields were low due to cold and windy weather at bud initiation about 16 months prior to this year’s harvest. While low yields are difficult for our growers, this leads to higher quality with advanced phenolic maturity and moderate sugar development. A five-day post Labor Day heat event which raised temperatures into the nineties in the Sta. Rita Hills quickly pushed some blocks to harvest ripeness. Grapes were harvested on September 26th.Winemaker Notes
Chardonnay clusters for this wine were whole-bunch pressed then transferred to French oak barrels where fermentation began using native yeasts. The wine then completed full malo-lactic fermentation. The wine was aged on its lees for 10 months in 20% new French oak, and bottled on July 24th, 2025.| Vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Wine Style | White Wine |
| Varietal | 100% Chardonnay |
| Appellation | Sta. Rita Hills |
| Harvest Date | September 26th |
| Acid | 7.1 g/l |
| PH | 3.31 |
| Bottling Date | July 24th, 2025 |
| Alcohol % | 13.7 |
| Size | 750 ml |