Brown Ranch Vineyard "Dijon Clone 76" Chardonnay 2021
In 2012 the Renteria’s purchased the 30 acre Brown Ranch (formerly associated with Saintsbury Winery and formerly a cattle grazing ranch taking its name from the former owner, Nadine Brown). The vineyard is bordered by HdV’s Hyde Vineyard and Beaulieu’s Vineyard No.9 on Old Sonoma Road. We love the results from the 2021 vintage! Freshly balanced and stylish, featuring a light, pale straw presence in the glass with a bouquet of mild allspice, citrus zest, toasted pine nuts and pecans, rocky flints, and lightly toasted oak. Crisp, savory pineapple, sweet delicious apple, savory stone fruit, and ripe pear lead into mouthwatering deliciousness. IN THE VINEYARD The Dijon Clones are modern strains of Chardonnay carefully isolated from grapevine nursery blocks in France. These strains are selected for their incredible ability to produce the best of what the varietal has to offer and therefore have become quite popular with cool climate growers today. The cool and often foggy climate of the Brown Ranch Vineyard, located in central Carneros, Napa, allows for a slow growing season and optimal ripening. This climate aids in the balancing of acidity and lifting tropical aromas in the fruit and thus, in the finished wine. The vines were carefully hand harvested and delivered cool to the winery. IN THE CELLAR Once to the winery and weighted in, the grapes are traditionally whole cluster pressed and allowed to cold settle prior to filling once used French Oak barrels. We try to prescribe to a Burgundian practice of winemaking. We here at Venge are light handed on the usage of new French Oak keeping it to an average of 25% in our Chardonnay. Batonage, or the gentle stirring of the lees, is employed in the early stages of ageing to further develop refined richness and length of body to the mid-palate, while keeping the wine clean and fresh. The wine was surlies aged for 15 months. 15% native malolactic fermentation was allowed to build complexity and body, without compromising the structural integrity of the wine. The 2020 Brown Ranch Vineyard Chardonnay was bottled unfiltered.
Composition
100% ChardonnayVineyard
Brown RanchAlc. %
14.9%| Cases Produced | 420 |
|---|---|
| Closure | Natural |
| Bottle Size | Standard |
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Venge Vineyards
The Venge family has farmed vitis vinifera varieties in Napa Valley for nearly half a century. It is a journey that began when Knud Venge emigrated from Denmark to the United States in the early 1900’s. Knud’s son, Per Venge, found his passion in the wine and spirits industry and started Vencom Imports, focusing on the importation of Western European fine wines and spirits. It was Per’s son, Nils Venge, who left the family business in the 1960’s with a vision to study viticulture at UC Davis and establish the family name as an icon in the winegrowing community.
The family’s viticultural roots flourished in 1976 with the purchase of a 17-acre vineyard in the Oakville District that was planted to Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. This fortunate development cast the family among the winemaking pioneers of Napa Valley.
Nils’ and Dianna Venge’s son, Kirk Venge, gravitated to winemaking at an early age. He proved to be as talented a winemaker as his father, making wines in his own style, with a vision to build on the family legacy. In 2008, Kirk achieved his lifelong dream and acquired full ownership of Venge Vineyards. Today, Kirk continues the Napa Valley heritage, focusing on select vineyard sites that produce fruit worthy of bearing the Venge family name.
In the Vineyards
Our farming experience spans nearly a half-century in the Napa Valley. We seek vineyard locations that possess the requirements for producing fruit that will bear the Venge family name: a temperate climate of warm days and cool nights, porous alluvial and hillside soils with balanced nutrient deposits, and ample degree days to promote prolonged hang time for optimal maturation.
Winemaking Philosophy
Our experience spans four decades in winemaking. Both traditional and progressive wine production techniques are embraced, although we remain focused on our core belief: only fruit grown from select vineyards that has been handled gently and naturally produces wine worthy of bottling under the Venge family name.
Tasting Room and Visitor Experience
Nestled into the eastern foothills of the Palisades Mountain range, and surrounded by our 12-acre estate vineyard, you’ll enjoy our current Venge releases in a privately hosted tasting.
Advance Reservations Are Required.
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Headed to the vineyards?
Tour wine country like a pro
Download the Wine Routes app to bring your routes, wineries, and interactive tastings wherever your journey takes you!