Navarro's
Mendocino Chardonnay is typically produced with grapes from two distinct appellations: Anderson Valley and the more inland Potter Valley. Unfortunately, the smoke from 2020 wildfires in Potter Valley ruined most grapes, including the Chardonnay destined for Navarro. As a result, all the grapes in this vintage were grown at Navarro and at our next-door neighbor. Despite the 2020 grapes coming from many of the same vineyards as the
Reserve, this
Mendocino bottling tastes quite different. The
Reserve is fermented and aged in new and seasoned barrels without any ability to chill the fermenting wine. The
Mendocino is fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, then racked to barrels, mostly seasoned, to age for nine months. The result is that all the aromas, flavors and fruitiness of the vineyard are front and center in the
Mendocino. Aging in barrels for nine months has given structure to the wine but seasoned barrels don't add enough oak to hide the vineyard flavors.
These vines were planted in 1977 in the ridge block and the vineyard is still productive in 2022. Navarro has purchased wine grapes, including Chardonnay, for our Mendocino
bottling from Valley Foothills since 1978.