2020 Arnot-Roberts Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Chardonnay

Arnot-Roberts was founded in Healdsburg in 2001 when Duncan Arnot Meyers and Nathan Lee Roberts decided to make single vineyard wines in very small quantities. The men are childhood friends who grew up in Napa Valley. Before teaming up to make their own wine, Meyers worked as a winemaker and Roberts was a cooper. Arnot-Roberts sources grapes from Sonoma County, the Santa Cruz Mountains, the Sonoma Coast, Napa Valley and Clear Lake. They make Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and white blends. They are also known for having experimented with Trousseau, a red-wine grape that is native to the Jura region of France but rarely planted or used for winemaking in the U.S. Arnot-Roberts wines are in high demand but mainly available through their mailing list. Robert M. Parker Jr. has called Arnot-Roberts wines “impressively endowed (and) well-made…”

Santa Rita Hills AVA in northern Santa Barbara County was granted appellation status in 2001. Located between the towns of Lompoc and Buellton, it has a total area of 30,720 acres with 2,700 vineyard acres. The area is considered a cool climate for vineyards, so vineyards are most often planted with the cool-weather grapes Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The hills in the western part of this appellation are directly exposed to the Pacific Ocean, meaning that maritime winds and fog make the western edge of the Santa Rita Hills AVA particularly cool. The Sanford & Benedict Vineyard planted in 1971 was the first vineyard in the district and is still considered one of the best.

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.