The brilliant 2007 Chardonnay Hyde Vineyard reveals lots of nectarine, honeysuckle, orange blossom, and citrus oil notes intertwined with good acidity, considerable minerality, and a full-bodied, fresh finish with no evidence of wood. - Wine Advocate

Located in gently rolling terrain north of Carneros Highway, the soils are quite heavy clay. Vine selection is old Wente, Robert Young and Long Vineyards – each a Wente selection themselves – ranging in age from 9 to 28 years old. The Wente is marked by very small grape clusters, with small berries, and the so-called "hen-and-chick" -- large and small berries within the same cluster. The Wente produces a classic, Burgundian-style wine without the tropical fruit tones of some California Chardonnays. The Long Vineyards selection adds a floral note, and the Hyde Vineyard wines often seem charming and feminine. High natural acidity plays a prominent role. - Winemaker

Wine maker notes

Located in gently rolling terrain north of CarnerosHighway, the soils are quite heavy clay. Vine selection is Old Wente and Long Vineyards, and the vines range from 7 to 24 years old. The Wente is marked by very small grape clusters, with small berries, and the so-called “hen-and-chick”--large and small berries within the same cluster. The Wente produces a classic, Burgundian-style wine, without the tropical fruit tones of some California Chardonnays. The Long Vineyards selection adds a floral note, and the Hyde Vineyard wines often seem charming and feminine. Hyde Vineyard fruit has structure and density and are therefore able to absorb more oak without being overwhelmed. The wine will see around seventy percent new Burgundian barrels and spend up to twenty-one months in barrel, completely sur lies, before being bottled without filtration.