2015, Lucia Soberanes Vineyards, Chardonnay

The Soberanes Vineyard is the latest joint venture between the Pisoni and Franscioni families.  Situated on the Santa Lucia Highlands Bench adjacent to the Garys’ Vineyard and recently named “one of the appellation’s most esteemed properties” by the Wine Enthusiast, the site features tightly spaced vines and is planted to 33 acres of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah. The clonal material planted in the loamy, rocky soil is very diverse and features over a dozen of the most renowned heritage selections from California and Burgundy.

Farming was extremely important in 2015.  An unseasonably warm winter led to the earliest bud break on record in the Santa Lucia Highlands, effectively shifting the growing season to the early months of the year. May was cold, overcast and windy. Flowering occurred during these fierce weather conditions, resulting in a poor set.  Shatter was rampant.   It became clear early on that 2015 would be a low-yielding vintage.  With crop levels down 70% in some blocks, it was imperative that the remaining fruit be tended with utmost care.  Fortunately, summer cooperated with mild temperatures and normal levels of fog, so vine development kept its usual pace.  Harvest began the last week in August and spanned the month of September.  Despite the early start and finish to harvest, total time for fruit on the vines was relatively typical, and Brix levels were lower than normal due to one more year of drought stress on the vines and early phenolic maturity.