Vineyards & Viticulture:
The grapes come from several small organically farmed vineyards throughout the appellation. While each site brings its unique mountain micro-climate signature to the blend, the commonalities these vineyards share are low nitrogen, high calcium soils, and a cool climate during growing season. These factors limit yields and increase the depth and mineral concentration of these bright, flinty Chardonnays. Proximity to the Monterey Bay yields fresh saline wine. All vineyards are farmed using organic practices.

Harvest & Vinification:
Directly press, then the juice is moved into neutral French oak barrels. Native fermentations occur in barrels where the wine remains for 6-9 months before racking to stainless steel tanks for an additional 4 months. Multiple barrel fermentations increase complexity and flavor.

Critical Acclaim:

95 Points, Jeb Dunnuck

"Madson searches for tiny vineyards that they can farm themselves, currently farming about 30 vineyards throughout the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA, most of them under three acres. The 2023 Chardonnay is a blend of five vineyards, with the goal of showing an aggregate sample of the entire mountain range. Green apple and jasmine ride along a lithe, light-bodied, and mineral-driven core of focused, bright acidity with just 10% new oak, the texture stony and lean."