Freeman Vineyard & Winery - "Ryo-Fu" Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2023

Freeman Vineyard and Winery was founded by Ken and Akiko Freeman in 2001. Since then, Freeman has been one of the great pioneers of cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, charting a course to the western edges of California winegrowing, where the influence of the Pacific Ocean shapes the character of the wines. In doing so, they have helped to define a more balanced, sophisticated and thoughtful style of winemaking—a style that has been embraced by connoisseurs and collectors around the world.

Ryo-Fu is Japanese for "cool breeze", a reference to the cool, foggy breezes that blow in from the Pacific Ocean across the Russian River Valley. This 100% Chardonnay is grown in primarily sandy soil from Heintz and Keefer Ranch, fermented and aged in French oak for 14 months. The wine has an elegant, old world character displaying a dazzling bouquet of citrus-tinged orchard and stone fruits with a touch of fresh hay. The palate is rich and rounded with flavors of white peach, apple and hazelnut complemented by a zesty, lemony acidity and a lean mineral spine. Excellent with anything from the sea... Enjoy with broiled lobster tails, pan-seared scallops or a mixed seafood risotto.