2020 River Road Ranch Chardonnay, Russian River Valley
Three generations farming premium wine grapes across five estate ranches for over four decades, the Trione family produce small lot, hand-crafted wines showcasing the best fruit from our vineyards.
Tasting Notes
This Chardonnay presents with a radiant golden hue, hinting at its richness and depth. With an enticing bouquet of persimmon marmalade and pastry dough that is accentuated by a delicate hint of beeswax and a whisper of struck match smokiness. The luxurious flavors of honeydew melon, European butter and marzipan enrich the palate while subtle notes of chamomile tea enlighten the finish.
Retail: $38
Vineyard
The River Road Ranch vineyard is located within the Russian River Valley AVA. The soil composition is Cortina, characterized as deep, well-draining soil composed mainly of gravel/sandy loam. This fast-draining soil leads to stressed vines that focus their energy on the grapes rather than leafy growth, resulting in more intensity and concentration. Certified Sustainable in 2017 (CCSW)
38°29’18.9″N 122°49’00.5″W
Vintage
The 2020 vintage enjoyed near-ideal conditions through Spring and into Summer. However, in August, a series of dry lightning storms brought significant challenges to the region’s vineyards. Careful attention was given to picking decisions and fruit processing to ensure the quality of the grapes remained uncompromised. All Trione fruit was harvested successfully and produced incredible depth of flavor and structure.
Winemaking
Our Chardonnay fruit comes from two distinct blocks on our Russian River Ranch. Hand-harvested at night, the grapes are quickly and gently pressed on arrival at the winery. The juice is allowed to settle overnight and then transferred to French oak barrels for fermentation. This stage in barrel is followed by weekly bâtonnage, or lees stirring, to help extract the rich and creamy texture this wine showcases.
Oak: 100% French | Aging: 12 months
