Arnot Roberts Trout Gulch Vineyard Chardonnay 2022
(Santa Cruz Mountains, California) - [VM 93]

About the Winemaker:
The focus of Arnot-Roberts is to produce distinctive, site-driven wines that highlight the nature of the unique terroirs in which the grapes are grown. The journey to this end has led Duncan and Nathan to seek out vineyards throughout Northern California and now includes incredible sites in Napa Valley, Sonoma Coast, Santa Cruz Mountains, Santa Rita Hills, Clearlake and Sierra Foothills. Single-vineyard wines are the core of the production as well as a few appellation bottlings that clearly speak of their individual upbringings. Some of the vineyards are old and dry-farmed, some are newer plantings but all are farmed and cared for by passionate and conscientious growers, which is paramount to the fundamental goal of Arnot-Roberts: producing the most honest and expressive wines possible.

About the Vineyard:
The Trout Gulch Vineyard is tucked within a dark and forested coastal canyon at 600’ above the sleepy village of Aptos, about 4 miles from the ocean in Santa Cruz County. This beautiful and pioneering site was planted by Bernard Turgeon in 1980 to the old Wente clone of Chardonnay, which is considered by many to be the heritage selection of Chardonnay in California. As with many of our sites, Trout Gulch lies at the absolute edge of ripening potential for the grape variety. We feel fortunate for the visionary farmers that planted vines in such marginal locations when we were children, so that we have the honor of working with them now in our adulthood. The soils in this cool site are fine sandy loam and the vines are carefully tended by Richard Alfaro and his top-notch crew. Harvest at Trout Gulch often stretches until mid-October and this long, slow growing season results in wines that are high in natural acidity, strong minerality, and have notable salinity on the palate. We are excited to work with such a special site and think the Chardonnays we have produced so far from this plot will age well in the cellar for years to come.

Elevation: 600’
Clone/Selection: Wente
Soils: Elkhorn series; Sandy Loam
Vine Density: 6’x8’
Farming: Organic
Planted: 1980

Reviews:
93 Points - Vinous Media 
"The 2022 Chardonnay Trout Gulch Vineyard is a stellar wine. Even in 2022, all the personality of this site comes through. Crushed rocks, mint, white flowers, white pepper and lemon peel are some of the many notes that grace this exquisite, vibrant Chardonnay. This is a fine effort. As always, the Trout Gulch is steely and vibrant." Drinking Window: 2024 – 2029 - Antonio Galloni (January 2024)