The vines grow in a very cold spot of Santa Maria Valley AVA on entirely beach sand soils. Since the climate is so cold, the wines are often considered the best examples of Burgundian style in the United States. They consistently receive rave reviews from press like Vinous, Wine Enthusiast, Jeb Dunnuck and Wine Advocate.
The Estate Wines of Bien Nacido & Solomon Hills are always naturally fermented, and the chardonnays only sees about 20% new oak, while the Pinot Noir has slightly more at 33%. We always use 100% French Oak from Meursault, from a small barrel producer called Damy.
While the wines remain fresh and bright, they do see 100% malolactic fermentation and have a softer creamier body. The wines are never fined or filtered, and in most vintages, less than 300 cases of each wine are made.
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