2020 SENS3S - Chardonnay Sonoma Coast (750ml)

2020 SENS3S Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast (750ml), is a cool-climate expression crafted to capture the vineyard’s character with minimal winemaking interference. Senses Wines was founded by three childhood friends in Occidental, California, who reunited years later to make wine from the vineyards surrounding their hometown. Acclaimed winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown joined the project as winemaking consultant in 2012, bringing his deep familiarity with Occidental’s fog-swept terrain. The stylized SENS3S name nods to the group’s shared history and their focus on capturing the raw character of the West Sonoma Coast in every bottle.

This Chardonnay draws in part from the Charles Heintz Vineyard, planted in 1982 on Goldridge sandy loam and farmed by the same grower since that year. Warm daytime sun and cool marine air moving in off the Pacific give the fruit bright acidity alongside real ripeness. Grapes are hand harvested, cold soaked briefly, then fermented with native yeasts before being pressed and aged in French oak, a hands-off approach meant to let the vineyard’s character come through with minimal winemaking interference.

Tasting profile

The wine opens with aromas of salted pineapple, chive blossom, and a touch of flinty reduction. On the palate, Meyer lemon and green apple flavors are framed by a stony, mineral-driven finish that lingers pleasantly. Bright and precise rather than heavy or oaky, this Chardonnay stands up to seafood and poultry with clarity and finesse.

Food pairings

• Grilled halibut
• Herb-roasted chicken
• Fresh chèvre