2010 Vintage

• Case Production: 336 cases
• Vineyards: Ritchie Vineyard
• Cooperage: 75% New French Artisan Oak
• Vinification: Hand sorted, whole cluster pressed, native yeast fermentation, Sur lies with bâtonnage

Focused and precise, the 2010 Ritchie Vineyard is a magnificent effort that captures the essence of this noble terroir. The intense mineral and flint-laden aromas frame the crisp quince and pear bouquet. Invigorating talc and spring flowers open at the entry and layer out with crushed oyster shell, candied Meyer lemons, and wet stones. Ethereal sea spray saline flavors linger pleasantly on the long mineral finish.

Ritchie Vineyard

The character of this vineyard is reflected in the beautifully aged gnarled Old Wente clone vines which produce tiny clusters and a low yield per vine resulting in wines with the expression only old vines can deliver. Further lending to the character of the wines from this famed vineyard is the volcanic soil composition of pumice, rock and the Goldridge soils for which the Russian River Valley is most known. In fact this vineyard has numerous soil types within a single block.

Kent Ritchie has been farming Chardonnay on his ‘Ritchie Vineyard’ since 1972 and has established long term relationships with some of the most sought after winemakers and vintners in Northern California. The Boswell block comprises 3.2 acres of the Old Wente vines at the top rise of the hill with mostly volcanic and Goldridge soils and very low vine yields.

The Russian River Valley climate is defined by its proximity to the ocean, and is bordered by the Russian River and the Mayacamas mountains. Coastal breezes bring cooling fog through the Petaluma wind gap in the morning and evening, balancing the afternoon heat enjoyed in this appellation. This temperature differential creates excellent conditions for our Chardonnays as the fruit is afforded a long growing season, allowing time for optimum fruit maturity.