2023 Sea Smoke - Chardonnay Santa Rita Hills (750ml)

Sea Smoke was founded in 1999 by Bob Davids on a coveted stretch of hillside in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA north of Santa Barbara, a site local winemakers had long recognized as exceptional ground for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The estate takes its name from the marine fog that rolls in off the Pacific and blankets the vines, moderating the heat of the growing season. Winemaker Don Schroeder oversees production with an approach rooted in precision and restraint, farming the vineyard's south-facing bluffs organically and biodynamically to let the site express itself clearly in the finished wines.

The estate vineyard sits within a rare transverse canyon that funnels cool ocean air directly onto the vines each afternoon, giving the fruit slow, even ripening and steady acidity. Grapes for this Chardonnay were hand harvested and chilled overnight before a soft press, then settled and racked to stainless steel for a controlled primary fermentation. The wine finished malolactic fermentation and further aging in a mix of stainless steel and French oak foudres and demi-muids, with periodic lees stirring to build texture. It rested for ten months before bottling without fining or filtration, preserving the fruit's natural clarity.

The glass offers lemon curd, star fruit, and fresh cut peach, layered with a mineral note reminiscent of wet stone and a light touch of hazelnut. Satsuma mandarin lifts the mid-palate, while cool climate acidity keeps the wine taut and focused through a long finish. This structure and precision make it a strong partner for roasted halibut, seared scallops, or a soft, nutty cheese like Comté.