2016 DuMOL Hyde Vineyard Chardonnay

Founded in 1996, DuMOL is a vineyard focused producer of cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from distinctive vineyards in the extreme southwestern part of the Russian River Valley, focusing on the Green Valley AVA. They also grow and craft small-lot Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Viognier from other exceptional vineyard sites in Sonoma and Napa, expanding upon twenty-five years of winegrowing experience. Winemaker, Viticulturist, and Partner Andy Smith has been with the winery since the beginning and continues to produce highly regarded cult wines. Robert M. Parker Jr. has called DuMOL "a fabulous producer of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and more recently, Viognier and Syrah....Everything produced at this winery is world-class, strikingly intense, complex and elegant."

Carneros AVA, also known as Los Carneros, is at the southern end of the Napa and Sonoma Valleys at the top of the San Francisco Bay. The 8,000 vineyard acres are mostly planted to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, both of which thrive in the district’s cool, marine climate. Carneros became an AVA in 1983 and it has attracted foreign wine companies along with local producers. It has been especially appealing to European producers of sparkling wines including the giant Spanish cava producers Codorniu and Frexinet, and the French Champagne house Taittinger. Codorniu in Carneros is called Artesa, and Frexinet’s Carneros brand is Gloria Ferrer. Taittinger calls its Carneros winery Domaine Carneros. The European producers also make still wines in Carneros.

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.