Produced from the first Chardonnay vines planted high on our Mountain Estate, this wine is named for Fred and Juelle's firstborn daughter, Whitney.
First planted in 1973 to Old Wente clone Chardonnay, Whitney's Vineyard grows at 1,000 feet elevation on a gravelly, gently sloping, southwestern facing hillside. Owing to its mountain heritage and low-nutrient soils, this site produces tiny clusters of tightly packed ‘hens and chicks’ (berries of wide ranging size) yielding wines that boast brilliant minerality and classic Chardonnay character. This site was replanted in two phases with greater vine density, establishing new vines in 2013 and 2016, all grafted to original clonal material.
Produced from the first Chardonnay vines planted high on our Mountain Estate, this wine is named for Fred and Juelle's firstborn daughter, Whitney.
2018 Whitney’s Vineyard perfectly captures a vibrant combination of fruit and minerality, culminating in a wine of tremendous focus, energy and freshness. Radiating a beautiful pale-gold straw color with a distinct green hue that hints of its youthful energy; aromas of honeysuckle, key lime, green apple and lightly toasted almond. On the palate flavors of ripe pear and nectarine mingle with marzipan, giving way to flavors of Meyer lemon crème brulee and a hint of fresh kumquat. A remarkable expression of its site, 2018 Whitneys Vineyard showcases ripe fruit flavors and unparalleled freshness derived from the vintage.