Wente Vineyards Riva Ranch Chardonnay

Description

Wente Vineyards Riva Ranch Chardonnay is a single-vineyard white wine made from grapes grown in the Arroyo Seco AVA, an American Viticultural Area in Monterey County, California, located south of Monterey Bay. It is the sister wine to Riva Ranch Pinot Noir, both are available to buy at Fareham Wine Cellar.

Wente Vineyards: Since 1883

Wente Vineyards was founded by C. H. Wente, a first-generation immigrant from Germany, in 1883. Recognising that the Livermore Valley’s warm days, cool nights and gravelly soils were ideal for growing grapes, he purchased 48 acres and planted vineyards. Continuing the 125-year legacy, the winery is managed today by the Fourth Generation of the Wente family, Eric, Philip, Carolyn, and the Fifth Generation, Christine and Karl.

Arroyo Seco Chardonnay Specialists

Arroyo Seco is widely regarded as one of the best places in California to grow Chardonnay, and Riva Ranch is the name of the Wente family’s vineyard in Arroyo Seco, where they have been growing premium Californian Chardonnay since the 1960s. In 1936, Wente was the first California winery to produce a wine labelled as Chardonnay and today many of the great Chardonnay vineyards in California are planted with the Wente Clone. The long, cool growing season with the deep, gravelly soil ripens the Chardonnay grapes perfectly, giving an ideal natural balance of sugar and acidity.

Wente Chardonnay Clones

Wente Riva Ranch Vineyard is planted with various Chardonnay clones. Each clone brings different flavours, aromatics and textures to the blend:

• Clone 2A: Selected for intense varietal character and low yield.

• Clone 4: A second-generation Wente clone for balanced flavours.

• Dijon Clones 95, 96, 76: Add aromatic complexity.

• Old Wente Heritage Clones: Contribute rich texture and depth.

The Wente Clone is a famous Chardonnay clone, developed and propagated by Wente Vineyards, which has become a mainstay of California Chardonnay production. It is estimated that 75% of Californian Chardonnay clones are derived from it.

Wente Vineyards Riva Ranch Chardonnay Winemaking

• Barrel Fermented Chardonnay: 90% of the Riva Ranch Chardonnay is barrel fermented in new and second-use French and American oak barrels, which adds notes of vanilla, spice and a softer mouthfeel.

• Stainless Steel Fermentation: The remaining 10% is stainless steel fermented, which helps to preserve the natural vibrancy of the fruit.

• 100% Malolactic Fermentation: Undergoes complete malolactic fermentation, enhancing the wine’s creamy texture and complexity.

• Aged Sur Lie: Aged sur lie for 6 months in French and American oak barrels.

• Batonnage Process: Batonnage is performed every two weeks. This adds a creamy note to the wine and enhances the texture.

Chardonnay & Gewurztraminer

There is normally a little Gewurztraminer included in the blend, which adds subtle floral and spice notes. The 2022 is 97% Chardonnay and 3% Gewurztraminer, for example.