The Santa Cruz Mountains appellation has inspired wine critics and lovers alike to take notice of the world-class wine that’s pouring out of this unique terroir. Stretching from 20 miles south of San Francisco to 15 miles southeast of Santa Cruz, this rather large appellation is home to small, homegrown producers that are making some of the best wine in all of California. Thanks to the breathtaking mountains, valleys, and plateaus that look straight out of Tolkien’s middle earth, the Santa Cruz Mountains (SCM), are home to a myriad of microclimates. The east-facing slopes and valleys on the eastern edge of the SCM enjoy warmer temperatures and are well suited to warm-weather Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel. The west-facing slopes, exposed to the cold Pacific influence, have cooler temperatures and rocky mountain soil that forces cool-weather Burgundian varietals to battle with the redwoods for moisture, which only concentrates the fruit and lends complexity to the finished product. The Mindego Ridge Vineyard is absolutely gorgeous. It is surrounded by redwoods, lies only nine miles from the Pacific on a bed of silty clay loam over fractured shale subsoil, translating to a terroir-driven Chardonnay all the characteristics we hope for in world class Chardonnay. 

 

When I first met this charming young couple, they were just about to harvest their first crop. You could see how much time, energy and passion they had both poured into this project, and I couldn’t wait to taste what the future had in store. Their vineyard is farmed with thoughtful inspiration from organic, biodynamic and highly sustainable practices and the vines are maintained at incredibly low yields, inevitably delivering the most concentrated fruit. The passionate husband-wife vigneron duo hired Ehren Jordan as winemaker for their labor of love. He brings with him two years of work in the Rhône Valley as well as experience as winemaker for Turley, Neyers Vineyards, and his own Failla brand with a dedicated following. Jordan translates the voice of the vineyard and the purity of the varietal with clarity and precision. Hand-harvested whole clusters go through only native yeast fermentation. The wine is aged on its lees for 11 months in only 15% new French oak with the remainder in 70% neutral French oak and 15% stainless steel, allowing the terroir, varietal and vintage to shine. The wine is bottled without fining or filtration and inevitably results in a pure expression of Santa Cruz Chardonnay that performs way above its price. In a blind tasting, this wine could hold its own with Chardonnays twice the price from around the world.

 

The 2013 Mindego Ridge Chardonnay exhibits a beautiful golden core with light golden and slight green reflections on the rim. Classic aromas of fine Chardonnay reveal Bosc pear, yellow apple, salt-preserved lemon and a touch of green pineapple over toasted hazelnut and very delicate notes of baking spices. The palate is medium-plus in body and boasts a subtle creaminess that is balanced with perfect freshness and a light sea spray salinity. Flavors of yellow apple, bosc pear, lime blossom, lemon curd, crushed nuts, lees, a kiss of stony minerality and subtle, integrated baking spices offers a profile akin to fine Burgundy with a personality that is wholly unique to Santa Cruz. At three years of age, this wine is hitting its stride, but will benefit from air. Decant for 30 minutes then serve in Burgundy stems between 50-55 degrees – do not drink this beauty too cold. This wine will uplift a multitude of cuisine from rotisserie chicken to any fish you can conjure up. We personally recommend this Potato-Crusted Halibut as it plays perfectly off the beautiful flavor profile of the wine.