{"product_id":"ridge-vineyards-monte-bello-estate-chardonnay-2023-santa-cruz-mountains-california-jd-100-js-96-ob-95-we-94-dm-94-ws-93-copy","title":"Neely \"Bee Block\" Estate Chardonnay 2024 (Santa Cruz Mountains, California) - [JD 94]","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout the Winery:\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAt the northern edge of the oak- and redwood-covered Santa Cruz Mountains, Spring Ridge Vineyard stretches from the floor of Portola Valley up the slopes toward Windy Hill. In 1980, the Melchor family entrusted the Varner brothers with planting Chardonnay and Gewürztraminer on the vineyard's lower terraces. Those original vines, planted block by block beneath the historic homestead, continue to produce fruit more than four decades later from the three celebrated Chardonnay blocks—Home, Amphitheater, and Bee.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn 1995, stewardship of the vineyard passed to the Neely family, who renewed its commitment to exceptional viticulture and winemaking. By the early 2000s, the addition of the Hidden, Upper Picnic, and Picnic Pinot Noir blocks completed the vineyard's evolution, establishing Spring Ridge as one of the defining estate vineyards of the Santa Cruz Mountains appellation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAbout Bee Block \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBee Block is one of three legacy Chardonnay blocks at Spring Ridge Vineyard. Bee Block is the largest block at three acres, spanning between 735 to 670 feet above sea level. Sedimentary rock sits farthest from the surface in this site. Massal selection from Home Block (Clone 4) was grafted on 5c rootstock in 1982. Bee Block consists of a soil blend of 35% sand, 32% silt, and 33% clay.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cspan\u003e About Spring Ridge Vineyard\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpring Ridge Vineyard sits on an east-facing ridge in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The ridge ascends from 500 to 1700 feet above sea level. The maritime climate of the San Francisco Bay offers cool, crisp mornings and warm, sunny afternoons creating perfect conditions for growing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The soil at Spring Ridge Vineyard consists of sedimentary rock, 1 to 3 million years old, at a shallow and mid level depth, perfect for the expression of our grapes. We strive to protect and nurture the entire ecological community of Spring Ridge Vineyard, and are dedicated to stewarding and replenishing  the land we inhabit.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAbout The Wine\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe wine was fermented and aged in a mix of neutral barrels. Honeysuckle, chamomile, nectarine nose. Chalky, apricot, whipped cream palate.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4 style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003eRatings \u0026amp; Reviews\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e94 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e”\u003cspan\u003eBee Block is bathed in sunshine both on the vine and in the glass. It is the most primary expression of fruit on Spring Ridge, aromatic with pear and mango and wildflowers. Quenching but delicate stone fruit on the palate, finishing with a bright, zesty, and summery flourish.\u003c\/span\u003e” (Apr 2025)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"ALLUVIAL","offers":[{"title":"750 mL","offer_id":53540788011373,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0481\/8940\/7391\/files\/neelychard.jpg?v=1783716687","url":"https:\/\/artisan.wine\/products\/ridge-vineyards-monte-bello-estate-chardonnay-2023-santa-cruz-mountains-california-jd-100-js-96-ob-95-we-94-dm-94-ws-93-copy","provider":"Artisan W\u0026S","version":"1.0","type":"link"}