Alta Orsa Winery Orsa Chardonnay 2024

Alta Orsa Winery is a 160-acre mountain estate stewarded by winemaker Martin Bernal-Hafner. Martin practices sustainable farming, preferably with regenerative and beyond-organic farming methods. Vineyards — planted in the late 1980’s — are high-density, featuring Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Syrah and Chardonnay. These vineyards are a resilient ecosystem where diverse cover crops, compost and worm-casting extracts and sheep for mowing are all employed. Minimal organic spray, no-till farming and no herbicides are also utilized to help craft transparent, exquisitely balanced and age-worthy estate wines. The Alta Orsa line highlights the unique expressions of single vineyards, while the Orsa wines offer genuine representations of North Coast appellations.

Alta Orsa's Orsa Chardonnay is crafted from fruit harvested in the gravelly-alluvial soils of the Hafner Vineyards in Alexander Valley in Sonoma County. The wine is fermented and aged in 50% neutral oak and 50% stainless steel. The Orsa Chardonnay presents a light golden color in the glass with a faint green tinge. A few swirls release an enticing bouquet of citrus-washed orchard fruits marked with notes of wet stone and honeysuckle. The palate is crisp and clean offering flavors of Asian pear, green apple and lemon curd. This Chardonnay is well-balanced with a slightly rounded mid-palate which leads to a long, creamy and mineral-driven finish. Try with roasted whole fish or lemon-pepper crusted chicken thighs.