VINEYARD Cerise, Anderson Valley AVA
CLONES Wente
ORIENTATION North East/South West
TRELLISING Quadrilateral Cordon
SOIL Bearwallow complex
FERMENTATION 100% barrel; 100% whole cluster pressed
ÉLEVAGE 30% new French oak & 70% neutral oak for 11 months,
then 100% of the blend was aged in stainless steel for 7 months
ALCOHOL 13.6%
pH 3.4
TA 6.03 g/L
AROMA
Rustic, earthy undertones meet subtle vanilla and spice aromatics; utterly transformative.
Pallet
Richly textured with vibrant character, layers of wild strawberries, and stunning depth. finish.
Established in 1997, Cerise Vineyard rises from 600 to 1,600 feet along steep, rocky hillsides in Anderson Valley. This rugged terrain naturally limits yields, producing wines of exceptional dimension and character. As one of the region’s most celebrated sites, Cerise seamlessly blends striking beauty with expressive complexity.
The 2023 growing season delivered ideal conditions for the Wente clone Chardonnay, harvested in a single day to capture its peak expression. Fermented entirely in barrel and whole-cluster pressed, this Chardonnay reflects meticulous craftsmanship. Following 11 months in 30% new French oak, it spent an additional seven months in stainless steel, preserving its vibrant freshness.
On the palate, layers of honeysuckle, white plum, and orange zest mingle with notes of lychee, lime leaf, and flinty minerality. Hints of sandalwood add depth to its creamy texture, culminating in a long, lingering finish of honeycomb and spice—a true expression of the vineyard’s unique character.
Fact of Note: 15% of the Chardonnay was fermented in a puncheon.
SIXTY-FIVE MILES NORTH OF OUR winery in Sebastopol, CA, is the critically-acclaimed little-known AVA of Anderson Valley. Over the past quarter-century, this region has emerged as the source for some of California’s most distinctive wines.
The Estate property, the Cerise Vineyard, is our focal point for the valley. We’ve been long-time fans of the region and are thrilled to be winegrowers here ourselves. Perched on the hills above Boonville in Mendocino County, these 26 blocks planted to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay cascade over elevations running from 587 to 1620 feet. The warm, sunny days and cool, foggy nights and mornings of the area coupled with unforgiving terrain result in thought-provoking wines that combine a rustic spirit with stunning energy and opulence.
With soaring aromas and pure, exquisite flavors, these are incredible wines from a not-to-be-missed vintage.
– Julien Howsepian
