Alma Fria - Campbell Ranch Chardonnay 2017, Sonoma Coast
Sitting six miles from the Pacific, just to the east of the Holtermann Vineyard at an elevation of 750 ft., the Campbell Ranch Vineyard was originally planted in 2001 exclusively to Pinot Noir.
In 2008, our winemaker, Carroll Kemp, brought Old Wente cuttings from the Hyde Vineyard that were selected specifically for the small size of their clusters and mineral flavor profile and grafted just 1.28 acres to Chardonnay, while inter-planting some additional vines to reduce the spacing to 8’ x 2.5’. The result has been mesmerizing. The soil is wholly comprised of decomposed Ohlson Ranch Formation, which is fractured marine sandstone that weathered over millions of years from an uplifted seabed. It offers the same viticultural advantages as the oft-referenced Goldridge series sandstone found in the lower West Sonoma Coast elevations around Freestone, yet differs by including less clay and more stone than sand in its composition.
Sitting six miles from the Pacific, just to the east of the Holtermann Vineyard at an elevation of 750 ft., the Campbell Ranch Vineyard was originally planted in 2001 exclusively to Pinot Noir.
In 2008, our winemaker, Carroll Kemp, brought Old Wente cuttings from the Hyde Vineyard that were selected specifically for the small size of their clusters and mineral flavor profile and grafted just 1.28 acres to Chardonnay, while inter-planting some additional vines to reduce the spacing to 8’ x 2.5’. The result has been mesmerizing. The soil is wholly comprised of decomposed Ohlson Ranch Formation, which is fractured marine sandstone that weathered over millions of years from an uplifted seabed. It offers the same viticultural advantages as the oft-referenced Goldridge series sandstone found in the lower West Sonoma Coast elevations around Freestone, yet differs by including less clay and more stone than sand in its composition.
Sitting six miles from the Pacific, just to the east of the Holtermann Vineyard at an elevation of 750 ft., the Campbell Ranch Vineyard was originally planted in 2001 exclusively to Pinot Noir.
In 2008, our winemaker, Carroll Kemp, brought Old Wente cuttings from the Hyde Vineyard that were selected specifically for the small size of their clusters and mineral flavor profile and grafted just 1.28 acres to Chardonnay, while inter-planting some additional vines to reduce the spacing to 8’ x 2.5’. The result has been mesmerizing. The soil is wholly comprised of decomposed Ohlson Ranch Formation, which is fractured marine sandstone that weathered over millions of years from an uplifted seabed. It offers the same viticultural advantages as the oft-referenced Goldridge series sandstone found in the lower West Sonoma Coast elevations around Freestone, yet differs by including less clay and more stone than sand in its composition.