We often describe our Mer Soleil Chardonnay as “layered,” and this vintage is a prime example of how that character is achieved.  The 2004 growing conditions were stellar.  With virtually no risk of rain during the long growing season—harvest continued until November 9 under cloud-free skies—we could concentrate our day-to day decisions on bringing out the distinctive flavors produced at each vineyard area. 

These differences are partly the result of variations in slope, soils and micro-climates, but are also built in by the viticultural choices we made to adapt to these variations.   Since our first plantings in 1988, we have introduced multiple clones of Chardonnay and trained the vines to three different trellis systems for optimal ripening in each area.