2023 Cambria - Chardonnay Santa Maria Valley Katherine's (750ml)
2023 Cambria Chardonnay — Katherine's Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley
From Cambria Estate Winery on the Santa Maria Bench in Santa Barbara County, this 2023 Chardonnay comes from Katherine's Vineyard, a site named in honor of the Jacksons' daughter Katie. The estate embraces a climate the winery calls refrigerated sunshine—the interplay of warm inland sun and cool Pacific fog that defines much of Santa Maria Valley's character. The vineyard is sustainably farmed, and a long-tenured winemaking team guides each vintage.
The Chardonnay is fermented in both stainless steel and barrel, a approach designed to preserve fresh, bright fruit while adding textural depth and a touch of toasty complexity from oak.
Katherine's Vineyard sits on ancient soils built from fossilized seashells, shale, limestone, and sand—a marine-influenced foundation that lends the wine its structure.
Tasting notes
- Nose: lemon balm, baked apricot, and macadamia nut
- Palate: brisk acidity supports pear, apple and citrus peel, with a subtle salinity
- Finish: a warm oak note carries through, contributing texture and length
The 2023 vintage opens with those aromatic elements and delivers a bright core of pear and apple, lifted by citrus peel and a hint of saline nuance.
Food pairing
Pairs beautifully with roast salmon, fish tacos, or a creamy white sauce pasta, where the wine's crisp acidity and gentle oak echo the dish's richness without overpowering it.