Carneros is renowned for stellar Chardonnay, so although our project is focused on Pinot, we couldn’t resist planting a small block of Chardonnay. The selection of Old Wente Chardonnay came to us as budwood from the Winery Lake and Larry Hyde vineyards. It’s a charming field selection, yielding a host of aromas and flavors from classic apple to banana to floral, including the occasional heady perfume of a musqué cluster. While Pinot is our obsession, we place equal importance on Chardonnay, and aim for style that yields maximum complexity, while still remaining fresh and vibrant on the palate.