Stony Hill Vineyard Chardonnay Spring Mountain District 2019
(Napa Valley, California) 750mL - [WS 93] [VM 92-95]

Fred and Eleanor McCrea founded Stony Hill in 1943. Within five years they had planted the land to vineyard, beginning first with Chardonnay, Riesling and Pinot Blanc grapes, before supplementing these grape varieties with Gewurztraminer and Semillon. The Stony Hill estate has since added Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah to its portfolio of grapes and in 2020, the property was acquired by the Lawrence family. 

The vineyards reach as high as 1550ft (470m) above sea level, and span roughly 12 hectares (30 acres) of the mountain's northeast-facing slopes. The volcanic top soils are rich in minerals, and overlay layers of limestone. This terroir, combined with the area's mild climate, make for ideal viticultural conditions. These vineyards have been dry-farmed since their establishment in the 1950s.

The grape harvest is dictated predominately by the pH levels of the fruit in order to guarantee wines with longevity and complexity. The Chardonnay grapes are picked from vines that average 30 years old. In the winery, these grapes are crushed and pressed with minimal skin contact, and are then fermented in neutral oak barrels. After fermentation, the wine is racked off its lees and aged in neutral oak barrels of more than 10 years old.

The Stony Hill Riesling vines were first planted in 1948 and many of these original vines are still used to produce its White Riesling label. The estate also makes a Gewürztraminer, passito-style Sémillon and Cabernet Sauvignon.

About the Wine:

APPELLATION Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District
VARIETAL 100% Chardonnay
AGE OF VINES 31 years
BARREL AGEING New and Used French Oak
TOTAL ACIDITY 6.3 g/L
RESIDUAL SUGAR 2.3 g/L
PH 3.46
ALCOHOL 13.8

Tasting Notes:

A true expression of classic Stony Hill Chardonnay, the 2019 Estate Chardonnay
contains notes of marzipan, brioche, and satsumas while still showcasing the
mineral, saline cornerstone that has become the stamp of our dynamic vineyard. This
wine can be enjoyed now or saved as it has the structure and lift to be cellared for
years to come.

Ratings & Reviews:

"The 2019 Chardonnay is utterly captivating. Broad and textured in feel, the 2021 possesses real breadth, not to mention tons of character. Long aging in 500L barrels, on the lees, yields a Chardonnay of impressive textural elegance. Lemon confit, almond, dried flowers, sage and chamomile build into the nuanced, resonant finish." - Antonio Galloni (October 2022)