Anybody who has been in our store asking for California Chardonnay recommendations has surely heard us mention the wines of Peake Ranch. This producer has previously been on our domestic "Top Wine" list in 2018, and judging by the newly released 2017 "Sierra Madre" Chardonnay, there's a good chance that they will be on the list this year!
Peake Ranch is a boutique, family-run winery owned by John and Gillian Wagner. Like all of us who have visited Santa Barbara County, the couple fell in love with the beautiful countryside and the friendliness of the people. They purchased Peake Ranch with a vision of building a winery and a house on the property, and producing extraordinary wines. They also bring a humbleness and sense of humility, which is honestly quite refreshing. They are already receiving rave reviews from the critics, and considering that in only their sixth vintage, this is an impressive feat!
In addition to their own property, they also get fruit from the famed Sierra Madre Vineyard, one of the most prestigious vineyards in the Santa Maria Valley! Not only does this area benefit from cool summers, but Peake Ranch's portion of the vineyard comes from a south-facing hillside comprised of sandy, well-drained soil. The Robert Young clones that grow here take advantage of the spot to become both fully ripe and at the same time retain a high level of acidity. This combines both weight, richness, and freshness, producing highly complex wines.
Winemaker Wynne Solomon studied Wine and Viticulture at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, and began making wine with Stephen Ross Winery in the Edna Valley before moving down to the Sta. Rita Hills to continue pursuing cool climate winemaking with Melville Winery. She joined the Peake Ranch team in 2018, worked with previous winemaker Paul Lato in blending the 2017 vintage, and she made the 2018 vintage hand in hand with him. Her vision for Peake Ranch is to focus on the unique attributes of this area while emphasizing balance in Californian wines.
JEB DUNNUCK 96 POINTS - "Peach, honeyed pineapple, toasted spices and some brioche all emerge from the 2020 Chardonnay Sierra Madre Vineyard, another incredibly textured, opulent, yet balanced and seamless Chardonnay from this team. It brings plenty of texture, yet at the same time remains light on its feet, pure, and seamless. Count me impressed. Aged in 38% new French oak, drink it any time over the coming 5-7 years or more."
ROBERT PARKER'S WINE ADVOCATE 96 POINTS - "The 2020 Chardonnay Sierra Madre Vineyard is very expressive, offering apricot, poached pear, acacia, honeyed almonds and flinty streaks on the nose. The medium-bodied palate is satiny, expansive and savory with rounded acidity and a long, creamy finish. 297 cases produced."
Peake Ranch is a boutique, family-run winery owned by John and Gillian Wagner. Like all of us who have visited Santa Barbara County, the couple fell in love with the beautiful countryside and the friendliness of the people. They purchased Peake Ranch with a vision of building a winery and a house on the property, and producing extraordinary wines. They also bring a humbleness and sense of humility, which is honestly quite refreshing. They are already receiving rave reviews from the critics, and considering that in only their sixth vintage, this is an impressive feat!
In addition to their own property, they also get fruit from the famed Sierra Madre Vineyard, one of the most prestigious vineyards in the Santa Maria Valley! Not only does this area benefit from cool summers, but Peake Ranch's portion of the vineyard comes from a south-facing hillside comprised of sandy, well-drained soil. The Robert Young clones that grow here take advantage of the spot to become both fully ripe and at the same time retain a high level of acidity. This combines both weight, richness, and freshness, producing highly complex wines.
Winemaker Wynne Solomon studied Wine and Viticulture at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, and began making wine with Stephen Ross Winery in the Edna Valley before moving down to the Sta. Rita Hills to continue pursuing cool climate winemaking with Melville Winery. She joined the Peake Ranch team in 2018, worked with previous winemaker Paul Lato in blending the 2017 vintage, and she made the 2018 vintage hand in hand with him. Her vision for Peake Ranch is to focus on the unique attributes of this area while emphasizing balance in Californian wines.
JEB DUNNUCK 96 POINTS - "Peach, honeyed pineapple, toasted spices and some brioche all emerge from the 2020 Chardonnay Sierra Madre Vineyard, another incredibly textured, opulent, yet balanced and seamless Chardonnay from this team. It brings plenty of texture, yet at the same time remains light on its feet, pure, and seamless. Count me impressed. Aged in 38% new French oak, drink it any time over the coming 5-7 years or more."
ROBERT PARKER'S WINE ADVOCATE 96 POINTS - "The 2020 Chardonnay Sierra Madre Vineyard is very expressive, offering apricot, poached pear, acacia, honeyed almonds and flinty streaks on the nose. The medium-bodied palate is satiny, expansive and savory with rounded acidity and a long, creamy finish. 297 cases produced."
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