2020 Walson Holland Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay
The 2021 Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay is a sophisticated wine of contrast and complexity. Notes of lychee, golden apple, and Meyer lemon are perfectly complimented with brioche, toasted coconut, and hazelnut on the nose. The Chardonnay is rich, concentrated, and texturally expansive in the mouth with a bright streak of acidity and a saline minerality that keeps the wine restrained and refined.
Raised 22 months on the lees in French oak barrels, 30% new oak. Unfined and Unfiltered. 255 cases produced.
- Tasting Notes Lychee, golden apple, meyer lemon, brioche, toasted coconut, and hazelnut
- Variety Chardonnay
- Region United States, California, Central Coast
- Volume 750 ml
- Alcohol Volume 14.6%
- Table Talk Benny Holland (winemaker) previously worked as winemaker at the notable Kosta Browne winery and Sine Qua Non.
$85.00
Only 11 left in stock
Walson Holland is a small family winery that crafts thoughtful and meticulous wines with attention to detail and highest quality in every step of the journey from vineyard to bottle. We are proud to work with farmers throughout California’s Central Coast that embody this commitment, and in turn, allow us to make noteworthy wines. The wines are produced by Benjamin Holland, who honed his craft at some of California and New Zealand’s most iconic wineries, including Kosta Browne, Amisfield and Sine Qua Non.
“I grew up in the rural Appalachian mountains of Georgia in a dry county…needless to say my introduction to wine didn’t happen until a little later in life. I moved to Lake Tahoe after I graduated college for a winter of snowboarding that turned into 10 years! It was in Tahoe where I started working in food and beverage, after years of bartending I began to self study all things wine and became a Certified Sommelier. During the process of learning about the winemaking process I felt a pull in that direction. I was very fortunate to land my first production job with Kosta Browne in Sebastopol, after a few weeks of being in the cellar I knew that this was exactly what I wanted to do. From there I went to Central Otago, New Zealand and had another amazing experience at Amisfield producing beautiful Pinot Noir. While in New Zealand I was on the hunt for the next gig back in the US. In my search I saw a posting for production assistant at Sine Qua Non in Ojai. Once again doors opened and I was thrilled to join the team at Sine Qua Non. During my time there I met my current partner Jonas Svensson. Jonas had been making a little wine with friends from his small 1 acre vineyard in Ojai and was interested in taking that project to the next level. After partnering we decided to expand the project and source grapes from some of what we think are the best vineyards on the central coast. Walson Holland was born and now we are in our 4th production year, and just releasing our 2018 / 2019 wines.”
Farming and Winemaking
“Walson Farms vineyard in Ojai is attached to a 5 acre organic farm and is managed in the same way. While we have not certified the vineyard organic, the surrounding vegetable / fruit farm is certified. The majority of the vineyards we source grapes from are farmed using biodynamics and all vineyards are at least using sustainable farming practices. While I can’t say matter of factly that these practices lead to a superior wine, I can say that I almost always prefer the wines made from grapes that are grown using the biodynamic and organic approach. In the cellar it’s all attention to detail, no shortcuts and being flexible in my approach. I’m an intermediary from vineyard to bottle letting the vineyard and fruit dictate how they are treated in the winery. Generally, because of the high level of farming and the quality of fruit I am bringing in, my job is to keep things clean, organized and have an eye for detail at every step. If all of these things are achieved then I am confident that a delicious wine has gone from vineyard to bottle.”
Small Production
“From my perspective producing wine on a small scale allows for more attention in the vineyard, in the winery during production, in the cellar during aging and culminating with bottling. However, just because someone is making a small production of something doesn’t mean it’s going to be better nor does it mean it’s less work. For me there is no excuse not to produce wine on a high level given the limited amount I am making. But this requires a lot of dedication, not taking any shortcuts and seeing things through to the finish. I love the fact that I know each and every barrel I produce, how they have evolved and what that means for the final product. I know that this isn’t possible on a large scale, having this intimate relationship with the wines allows me to produce what I feel is the best product I can.”
From the winemaker:
When I think of great wine, I imagine a wine that develops over time in the glass, giving the drinker the pleasure of a great first impression that only gets better with time. This is what made me fall in love with sophisticated Pinot Noirs many years ago. Fast forward years later and I could not be more excited and proud to be making a wine that gives the drinker the opportunity to savor and ponder over its many nuanced characteristics. The 2021 Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir immediately shines upon pouring but if you can be patient and allow it to really show itself you will be rewarded with complexity and subtle nuances that make this a truly special wine.
Chardonnay
As one of the most popular grapes for growing and consuming, Chardonnay can be made in a wide range of styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. These styles can vary from a sparkling Blanc de Blanc, or fresh fermented in stainless steel, to rich and creamy white wine aged in oak barrels. While Chardonnay can flourish in many environments, in its homeland of Burgundy it can produce some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. Whereas from California it can produce both oaky, buttery styles as well as leaner, European-inspired wines. A Somm secret: the Burguny subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a bright style similar to the unoaked style with high levels of acidity. Most people who do not like oaky/buttery Chardonnay may likely enjoy Chablis.
Central Coast
When we speak of Central Coast, CA were including numerous diverse regions from Santa Cruz down through Santa Barbara counties. This encompasses smaller areas such as Santa Cruz Mountains AVA, Monterey AVA, Paso Robles AVA, Santa Maria Valley AVA, Santa Ynez Valley AVA, and Sta. Rita Hills AVA. The Central Coast is responsible for many great value wines from a multitude of grape varietals depending on the climate within the specific designated areas. From the coastal AVA’s with influence from the fog and cooling effects, you will find Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The inland AVA’s are much warmer, like Paso Robles, so look here for outstanding Syrah, Grenache, Zinfandel, or Rhône-style blends.
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