Arista Winery : Ritchie Vineyard Chardonnay 2018

A fine wine from a legendary Californian vineyard

The producer

Dedication, focus and determination are the cornerstones of the Arista Winery. Founded in 2002, the McWilliams family take great pride in tending to their Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vines. The winery overlooks California’s picturesque Russian River Valley and Anderson Valley. The McWillimams’ sons, Ben and Mark, took over the running of the family estate in 2012 and continue to produce exquisite wines.

The vineyard

Arista Winery reigns over a 36-acre vineyard that is managed using sustainable farming practices. The vineyard is composed of 9 acres of Pinot Noir vines and 1 acre of Chardonnay vines and leads to the production of fine California wines. For the teams, working alongside nature is crucial and is at the very heart of their philosophy.

The wine

The 2018 Ritchie Vineyard Chardonnay wine stems from the legendary Ritchie Vineyard in the Russian River Valley, a plot owned by the highly-admired Kent Ritchie. The low-yielding vines lead to utterly aromatic and flavored wines.

Vinification and aging

The grapes are sorted by hand and undergo a gentle press. Fermentation takes place in French oak barrels, using native yeast. Occasional battonage during the first 2 to 3 months. Fermentation lasts 12 months. The blends are assembled and placed into stainless-steel tanks, where they remain for 6 months.

The blend

Chardonnay (100%).

Arista Winery’s 2018 Ritchie Vineyard Chardonnay: Characteristics and tasting tips

Color
Pale lemon color.

Nose
The nose expresses aromas of lemon zest, verbena and toasted brioche.

Palate
The linguering palate reveals alluring citrus-driven flavors.