2009 Vineyard Seven And Eight Estate Chardonnay

Vineyard 7 & 8 in St. Helena was started in 1999 by Launny and Weezie Steffens, a New Jersey couple with an interest in wine. Launny founded a New York investment firm but was intrigued by winemaking. The estate’s vineyards are at 2,000 feet above sea level on Spring Mountain. Winemakers are Martha McClellan and Wesley Steffens. The two estate wines are a Chardonnay and a Cabernet Sauvignon. Vineyard 7 & 8 also makes a Cab sourced partly from the estate and partly from the Atchey Family Vineyard next door.

Spring Mountain AVA is above the town of St. Helena on the eastern slopes of the Mayacamas Mountains. There is no actual Spring Mountain, but the name has traditionally been used for the area, which includes many streams and springs. Spring Mountain was awarded appellation status in 1993 and it includes about 1,000 vineyard acres. Vineyard elevations are high, from 400 to 2,600 feet above sea level. Because of the altitude of most vineyards, which are above the fog line, mornings become warm earlier than vineyards on the valley floor, though the afternoons are cooled by maritime winds. The result is an exceptionally long growing season. Cabernet Sauvignon is the most frequently planted grape by acreage, followed by Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay.

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.