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Rhys Vineyards Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay is an elegant, mineral-driven Chardonnay from California’s rugged Santa Cruz Mountains, blending Burgundy-inspired finesse with coastal freshness.
The grapes for this wine come from three estate vineyards: Mt. Pajaro, Alpine and Horseshoe. The vineyards range in elevation from around 220 to 425 metres above sea level and are situated on various soil types, including Pursisima Shale, Decomposed Butano Sandstone and Monterey formation with intermingled limestone.
Rhys Vineyards produces highly regarded wines from the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA in California, drawing inspiration from Burgundy-style winemaking to craft elegant, mineral-driven whites and world-class Pinot Noir. The vast 30,000-square-foot cave winery is located on the outskirts of Los Gatos, due west of San Jose. Their first commercial release was in 2004.
Founded by Kevin Harvey, a venture capitalist with a love of Burgundy, the winery focuses on estate-grown grapes from six vineyards in the region. The emphasis is on biodynamic practices and site-specific expressions shaped by the area’s cool climate, steep slopes, and diverse soils like diatomaceous earth and Monterey shale.
Rhys Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay has fragrant aromas of citrus blossom, lemon curd, baked orange, pear, hazelnut, and a light nutty tone.
On the palate, it’s medium- to full-bodied with crisp minerality, notes of lemon crème, vanilla, grapefruit, and chalky textures, balanced by bright acidity, light tannins, and a long, energetic finish that adds complexity and ageing potential.
Santa Cruz Mountains American Viticultural Area (AVA) is a premium, cool-climate Californian wine growing area which was established in 1982.
It is located to the south of San Francisco and north of Monterey Bay. It is just 15 miles from the Pacific Ocean and spans three counties: Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, and San Mateo.
The area experiences a strong maritime influence, with cool nights and morning fog, resulting in slow-ripening, low-yielding vines.
The region is home to over 80 wineries and around 200 growers. Key grape varieties grown here include Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and surprisingly robust Cabernet Sauvignon, along with other cool-climate grapes like Syrah and Zinfandel.
Rhys Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay pairs beautifully with seafood like oysters, scallops, halibut and crab due to its bright acidity and mineral finish.
It also complements roast chicken, pork tenderloin, and creamy dishes such as risotto or vegetable tarts.
For cheese, try Comté, Gruyère, triple-cream Brie, or fresh goat cheese to highlight its balance and subtle richness.
