2012 Red Car Ritchie Vineyard Chardonnay

Red Car is Sonoma Coast producer founded in 2000 by Carroll Kemp and Mark Estrin, a pair of amateur winemakers who had both worked in Hollywood’s movie business. They decided to name their wine enterprise after the electric trolley cars that ran throughout Los Angeles in the first half of the 20th century. Red Car makes a portfolio of wines under several labels, but its prestige label in the Reserve, which includes Pinot Noir, Syrah and Roussane.

Sonoma Coast AVA runs from San Pablo Bay in the south to Mendocino County in the north. It includes 7,000 vineyard acres and earned AVA status in 1987. Its proximity to the Pacific Ocean means it gets double the rainfall of nearby inland appellations and the ocean gives the appellation a relatively cool climate. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir can thrive in these conditions, and there are numerous producers making critically acclaimed Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

This white variety originated in Burgundy, but is now grown around the world. Its flexibility to thrive in many regions translates to wide flavor profile in the market. Chardonnay is commonly used in making Champagne and sparkling wines.