2012 Kinero Talley Vineyard Chardonnay

Kinero Cellars was founded, more or less by happenstance, in 2008. That’s when Anthony Yount, then just a year out of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, made his first barrels of Grenache Blanc and Roussanne. Grapes from some of the area’s most prestigious vineyards became available, and Yount, then working for Villa Creek Winery, decided to try his hand at winemaking. Since then Yount has won compliments for his white wines, in particular, and has purchased 25 acres in the York Mountain appellation. The San Francisco Chronicle called his 2012 Grenache Blanc “as serious an expression of Grenache Blanc as you’ll find anywhere.” Wine Advocate has rated Kinero wines in the low 90s. Yount is considered an up-and-coming young winemaker with a talent for Rhone grapes.

Arroyo Grande Valley AVA is a 42,880-acre appellation within the Central Coast AVA. The appellation surrounds the town of Arroyo Grande, and is located southwest of San Luis Obispo. Located within four miles of the Pacific Ocean, the 16-mile long valley includes several microclimates, such a cooler lower one on the west end, where Pinot Noir is grown, and a higher, hotter microclimate inland, where Zinfandel thrives. Arroyo Grande was officially recognized as an AVA in 1990. Many grapes are grown here, including Grenache, Mourvedre, Petite Sirah, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah and Tempranillo. Like most of the Central Coast, this AVA has a long tradition of farming. Most of the ever-growing number of wineries here have sprung up in the last 30 years and they tend to focus on Rhone varietals.

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.