2022 Belli Chardonnay

Tasting Notes

2022 is our first vintage working with the Belli fruit, and since day one this vineyard has shown elegance and purity of flavor. The grapes were harvested at daybreak and went direct to press to separate the skins and seed from the juice. The juice then went to French oak barrels for fermentation and then aging for the next 11 months. During the aging process the Chardonnay was stirred weekly to add texture and depth to the palate. The resulting wine shows vibrant citrus with a hint of minerality on the nose leading into a textured and fresh mouthfeel. Mandarin, vanilla and lime zest are up front, continuing on with a lingering finish.

Winemaker's Notes

The Belli Vineyard sits along Westside Road in the upper Russian River Valley. The vines face east toward the river, and are protected and cooled by the fog until late morning during the ripening season. Planted in billowy rust colored loam soil in the late 1990's to Dijon Clone 76, these Chardonnay vines have been aging to perfection. When Joe Belli planted this vineyard he was no stranger to the wine business. He owns and operates Westec Tanks, which has been fabricating tanks and many other essential stainless steel equipment for the wine industry for over thirty years. With the same passion he has for building winery equipment, Joe has been farming Chardonnay vines grown on a handful of acres surrounding his home. We are excited to be working with our good friend Joe, making beautiful wine from this special spot in Russian River.