"A cool and dry winter, small crop level, and mostly moderate growing season ending with increased warmth in early September characterized the 2008 vintage on the Sonoma Coast. The Pacific breezes through the Petaluma Wind Gap moderated this early harvest heat at Gap’s Crown Vineyard, permitting Chardonnay clones 96 and 548 to weather the warm harvest period and gain fruit intensity without losing acidity. This fruit was pressed whole cluster, and only the best of the free run juice was used in this wine. The juice was filled to Burgundian style French oak barrels (10% new) for primary fermentation with subsequent malolactic conversion to temper acidity and add textural plushness. The finished wine was stirred weekly throughout the malolactic period and beyond to build texture from sur lies aging. After 11 month of barrel age, the wine was bottled without fining or filtration to preserve full texture and flavors. This Chardonnay, bottled in early September of 2009, has a generosity of fruit and floral aromas complimenting its sensual texture." -Winery