2009 Sea Smoke Cellars Gratis Chardonnay

Sea Smoke Cellars is in the Santa Rita Hills appellation near Santa Barbara, on the Central California coast. It was started in 1999 by Bob Davids, and the estate includes 23 distinct vineyard parcels. The estate makes Pinot Noir only. Robert M. Parker Jr. has written that Sea Smoke’s wines “have been tremendously impressive…They all reveal intense Pinot Noir characteristics, fragrant, rich, full-bodied personalities, and abundant charm, as well as power.”

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.