Almost 50 years ago, Cakebread released its' very first wine: a 1973 Napa Valley Chardonnay, and have been fine-tuning it ever since. Grapes for this wine come from the world-famous Carneros appellation in southern Napa Valley. This region sits just north of San Pablo Bay, whose influence provides the cool, windswept conditions that produce Chardonnay with ideal balance between fruit characters and acidity. Soils here are predominantly Haire Loam, a light clay that helps grapevines naturally regulate vigor for fruit of intense concentration.

Grapes were harvested by night in small batches, then pressed directly into tank as whole clusters. The juice was transferred into French oak barrels to ferment. In order to achieve maximum fruit expression, we aged the wine on its yeast lees for eight months with intermittent stirring to enhance texture and boost complexity.

Harvest Note
Ample rainfall early in 2023 replenished vineyard soils and allowed healthy, balanced vine development throughout an extended growing season. Even summer warmth allowed clusters to ripen slowly and consistently, developing an intensity of flavors and fresh acidity. Before August’s harvest, warm, sunny afternoons and cool evenings let grapes develop an expressive and concentrated range of aromas and flavors.
Tasting Note
The wine opens with lively aromas of ripe pear and chamomile. Flavors of ripe melon, lemon curd and apple frame the palate with hints of baking spice and lightly toasted brioche. The fresh acidity and crisp citrus notes are well-balanced by a hint of oak, leading to a long, harmonious finish.
Technical Data
GRAPES: 100% Chardonnay
PH: 3.45
ACIDITY: 6.0 g/100mL
ABV: 13.6%
AGING: 8 months in 30% new French oak
MALOLACTIC FERMENTATION: 8.0%
Unique Selling Points
  • Grapes come from world-famous Carneros appellation in southern Napa Valley
  • Whole cluster pressed, barrel fermented and aged 8 months in 30% new French Oak
  • 8% malolactic fermentation for balance of richness, vibrancy and fruit expression

About the Grape

Chardonnay
Though it has a distinctive profile, Chardonnay reflects other factors such as soil composition and vinification technique. Chardonnay is a reliable, hardy and prolific vine whose only real vulnerabilities are frost and uneven development of fruit.
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