Current Release
2022 Chardonnay, Radian 750ML
Radian vineyard is located at the far western edge of the Sta. Rita Hills on dramatically steep slopes with large amounts of diatomaceous earth. Lovingly farmed by the team at the Hilt/Jonata led by Matt Dees and the grape wisperer himself, Ruben Solarzano, the vineyard is a testatment to vision, courage and perserverence. Radian is wild & wooly, regularly blanketed by fog and buffeted by high, often gale force winds. The Chardonnay vines here struggle to set fruit, and the resulting grapes extremely low yielding, with thick skins, highly concentrated flavors and relatively low sugars. The resulting wines are lean and intense, with a powerful sense of minerals, incisive acidity, and tremendous length.
Our block of Chardonnay (34B) faces directly west, facing the mighty, powerful Pacific Ocean on a steep hill (cliff?) at about 400 feet elevation. With a direct path, the winds batter this site most of the day each day, save for the early morning hours. We are amazed that vines can live on these steep foreboding hillsides. Mostly there is only chaparral and poison oak up here!
In 2022 yields were sufficient to allow us to bottle a small run of 50 cases (and to provide grapes for the Black Label Chardonnay). The 2022 wine was barrel-fermented by native yeasts in top quality French oak barrels, 50% of which was once-used. The resulting wine went through full native malolactic fermentation in barrel and was aged for 16 months on its lees, without stirring, before selection, blending and bottling. The wine is racy, mineral driven and incredibly long. We love it, and we can only hope that this crazy block of vines will keep producing in future years.
Extremely Limited. Only 50 Cases Produced.
Our block of Chardonnay (34B) faces directly west, facing the mighty, powerful Pacific Ocean on a steep hill (cliff?) at about 400 feet elevation. With a direct path, the winds batter this site most of the day each day, save for the early morning hours. We are amazed that vines can live on these steep foreboding hillsides. Mostly there is only chaparral and poison oak up here!
In 2022 yields were sufficient to allow us to bottle a small run of 50 cases (and to provide grapes for the Black Label Chardonnay). The 2022 wine was barrel-fermented by native yeasts in top quality French oak barrels, 50% of which was once-used. The resulting wine went through full native malolactic fermentation in barrel and was aged for 16 months on its lees, without stirring, before selection, blending and bottling. The wine is racy, mineral driven and incredibly long. We love it, and we can only hope that this crazy block of vines will keep producing in future years.
Extremely Limited. Only 50 Cases Produced.
Wine Profile
| Vintage | 2022 |
|---|---|
| Wine Style | White Wine |
| Varietal | Chardonnay |
| Size | 750 ml |