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.

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