The Ojai Vineyard Bien Nacido Chardonnay

The History

Since 1991 I’ve purchased Bien Nacido chardonnay from I block, which is down in the flatter part of the site closer to the riverbed, so the vines there are planted on sandier alluvial soil. It’s planted to “California clone” 4, a productive, high acidity and fruit infused clone that was selected by UC Davis from old French stock brought to this country in the 1880’s. The 40-year-old vines rows planted 12ft on center alternate with rows of younger vines of the same clone but on rootstock.

The grape

100% CHARDONNAY

Tasting note

Our chardonnay block is farmed like two vineyards, really. The younger vines on rootstock have struggled to compete with the more established roots of the older vines, so the two are harvested on different dates, watered differently, and the fruit has a different profile. This gives our Bien Nacido chardonnay great tension; the old vines bring richer, fatter fruitier facets while the younger vines keep the wine taut and driven. Bien Nacido gives a deliciously unique expression of California chardonnay, and to keep that expression uncluttered and food-friendly we ferment and age this chardonnay in neutral French oak barrels.

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