Arnot-Roberts, Chardonnay 2018, “Sanford & Benedict Vineyard”, Sta.Rita Hills, Santa Barbara, CA

Rich and round, this beautifully nuanced Chardonnay from the exceptional Sanford & Benedict Vineyard has the terroir’s signature notes of mossy river rock mineral on the nose, and a palate of citrus, stone fruit, and a subtle yet powerful creaminess.

COUNTRY: United State of America (USA)

STATE: CA

APPELLATION (AVA): Santa Rita Hills

REGION: Central Coast

SUB-REGION: Santa Barbara

VINEYARD: Sanford & Benedict Vineyard

VINTAGE: 2018

GRAPES:  Chardonnay

SOIL: Clay loam

PRACTICE: Sustainable, organic

VINIFICATION: Whole cluster pressed to stainless steel for native primary fermentation at ambient temperature. No heating or cooling applied. Full malolactic. 10 months aging in neutral French oak.

STYLE: Still

COLOR: Deep gold

BODY: Medium to Full (7-8)

TASTE: Dry

PRIMARY AROMAS: Mossy, river rock minerality, orchard fruit, mint, white pepper

FLAVOR: Citrus, stone fruit, subtle creaminess

FORMAT: 750 ml

ALCOHOL: 12.3%

SERVICE AND SUGGESTION: Serve cold and match with creamy buttery flavors and soft textures, for example, butter poached lobster.

ABOUT THE PRODUCER: 
Arnot-Roberts was founded in Healdsburg in 2001 by childhood friends Duncan Arnot Meyers and Nathan Lee Roberts. Beginning with one barrel of wine made in their basement, the winery started small and grew slowly by sourcing grapes from some of the most remarkable vineyards in California. Duncan and Nathan grew up together in the Napa Valley and from an early age were immersed in the rhythm of agrarian life surrounded by the vineyards and winemaking of the early 1980’s.

The focus of Arnot-Roberts is to produce distinctive, site-driven wines that highlight the nature of the unique terroirs in which the grapes are grown. The journey to this end has led Duncan and Nathan to seek out vineyards throughout Northern California and now includes incredible sites in Napa Valley, Sonoma Coast, Santa Cruz Mountains, Santa Rita Hills, Clearlake and Sierra Foothills. Single-vineyard wines are the core of the production as well as a few appellation bottlings that clearly speak of their individual upbringings. Some of the vineyards are old and dry-farmed, some are newer plantings, but all are farmed and cared for by passionate and conscientious growers, which is paramount to the fundamental goal of Arnot-Roberts: producing the most honest and expressive wines possible.

ABOUT THE VINEYARD: 
Sanford & Benedict Vineyard
In the Sta. Rita Hills, it all began with Sanford. In 1971, the Sanford & Benedict Vineyard became the first vineyard in what would become a world-class, cool climate wine-growing region. Sanford Winery has been a pioneer in the Sta. Rita Hills from the beginning and the vineyards and winery continues to thrive, innovate and excel under the vision, guidance, stewardship, leadership, and hands-on participation of the Terlato family.