Spring Release Highland Divide Chardonnay
2024
Winemaker’s Notes
This marks the first appearance of our neighbor’s old vine Chardonnay vineyard—Peters Sundance Ranch — which we leased in 2024 and began to farm organically with our in–house team. It’s immediately down the hill from our Bressay Estate, giving it serious pedigree and potential. The wine presents as elite level coastal-style Russian River Chardonnay—a mix of citrus and stone fruits, broad chewy texture, excellent volume, and mouth filling richness from low-yielding old vines, backlit by vibrant acidity. It’s poised to become one of the most important vineyards in our Estate portfolio, and this new vintage of Highland Divide is the perfect start.
Aromas and flavors akin to white flowers, fresh mint, nutmeg, peach, apricot, and lemon curd. The wine’s rich fruit personality dominates—layered, nuanced, and deep. Vibrant lemony acidity cuts through the wine and drives it to an energetic, tangy finish. Very long aftertaste with rising flinty notes.
“The 2024 Chardonnay Highland Divide is terrific. All this fruit is from Peters Sundance, a new site in the DuMOL portfolio, planted in 1989 with Wente and Robert Young selections. Bright, floral aromatics and orchard fruit confer brightness. White pepper, slate and chalk lift the vibrant finish.” - Antonio Galloni / Vinous
Vineyard
Appellation
Russian River Valley
Clones
Clone 4 & Old Wente
Barrel Aging
Fermented by native yeasts then aged in 228L & 350L French oak barrels, 20% new for 11 months. Blended and finished in tank for 4 months. Bottled unfiltered.
Production
1250 cases of 750mL
