2024 The Hilt - Chardonnay Santa Rita Hills (750ml)

The Hilt is a Santa Rita Hills estate founded in 2008 on Rancho Salsipuedes in Santa Barbara County, a large patchwork of slopes, aspects, and microclimates. Winemaker Matt Dees aims for elegance and precision, and the property is owned by Stan Kroenke, who also owns Screaming Eagle and Bonneau du Martray.

The Estate Chardonnay is built from the Bentrock and Radian vineyards, hand harvested from a range of clones. Many of the best blocks face north, which encourages slow ripening in the cool maritime climate and preserves natural acidity, while low yields concentrate flavor. The wine is matured for roughly 11 months, mostly in older French oak with a portion of new barrels, and a rest on lees in stainless steel adds a creamy, silky texture before bottling.

Bright golden in the glass, the wine shows apricot, ripe yellow peach, mandarin, and lemon zest, with notes of brioche, baking spice, and a hint of flint. Creamy texture meets vivid acidity, and the finish turns zesty and saline, with a chalky lift that lingers. Rich yet energetic, it captures the cool-climate precision of the appellation.