Oceano Wines founder and owner, Rachel Martin brings a bi-coastal perspective, as a New York resident and a former East Coast wine producer in Middleburg, Virginia she has found the perfect place to craft a cool climate, vineyard-designate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir on the San Luis Obispo coast. Rachel is deeply committed to sustainable vineyard practices. Her winery is SIP Certified, which is more stringent than organic and biodynamic certifications. Of all the cool growing sites along the Central Coast AVA, the “Spanish Springs Vineyard” is the closest to the Pacific. The cool marine layer rolls in practically every morning before the mid-day sun gradually melts it away. Cooling Pacific breezes pick up later in the day to ensure that the grapes never over ripen to the point where sugar levels translate into high-alcohol wine. A unique soil mix of sandstone, shale, and limestone translates into a taut, mineral-driven Chardonnay. You can literally taste the fossilized seashells that are sprinkled throughout the vineyard. Lithe and vibrant from start to finish. A fragrant jasmine nose laced with key lime and ripe peach sets up for an exotic mid-palate of green apple, quince, ripe guava, and kaffir lime. The finish is remarkably long with hints of pulverized oyster shell, stones, and sea spray. This is one of the most impressive California Chardonnays we have had in a while. Kudos to Rachel Martin!