2022 Deovlet - Chardonnay Sta. Rita Hills Sanford & Benedict (750ml)

2022 Deovlet Chardonnay – Sanford & Benedict, Sta. Rita Hills

From the renowned Sanford & Benedict Vineyard in Santa Barbara’s Sta. Rita Hills, planted in 1971, this Chardonnay captures the cool, misty mornings and subtle maritime influence that define the region. The old, own-rooted vines grow in shale and clay soils threaded with fragments of chert, yielding fruit with expressive freshness and precise structure.

The wine is crafted to honor the site: hand-harvested fruit, predominantly whole-cluster pressed, and fermented with a restrained oak regimen of roughly 15–20% new barrels. This approach preserves bright acidity and the vineyard’s mineral-driven character, avoiding overt oak dominance while allowing the vintage’s purity to shine.

Lifted aromas combine white peach, citrus, and orchard fruit with delicate floral notes and a touch of saline mineral complexity, inviting you to explore the wine’s texture and nuance. On the palate, it presents as medium-bodied and precise, with lively acidity carrying flavors of lemon and green apple into a long, focused finish.

Best served lightly chilled to highlight its freshness, this Chardonnay pairs beautifully with seafood and lighter fare. Try it alongside grilled halibut, roast pork loin, or a soft-ripened cheese to enjoy its site-driven profile and mineral-bright finish.