SONOMA LOEB DIGNITARY CHARDONNAY 2022

John L. Loeb Jr., a distinguished U.S. diplomat, veteran, environmentalist, businessman, and philanthropist, has been growing grapes in Sonoma County s Russian River Valley and Alexander Valley since 1973. Sonoma-Loeb s winemaker, Phillip Titus, who holds a degree from UC Davis in agronomy, viticulture, and enology, has been crafting wines at the winery since 1990, alongside Frenchman Daniel Docher and a skilled team. Together, they create Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs that showcase the unique qualities of their prized vineyard sources, Dutton Ranch and Sangiacomo Vineyard, which feature the highly sought-after Goldridge soil known for its excellent drainage and low fertility, resulting in wines with intense fruit character. The Dignitary Chardonnay is sourced from sun-kissed hillside vineyards with a view of the Russian River Valley, where the grapes benefit from warm daytime temperatures and the cooling influence of regular fog from the nearby Pacific Ocean. The wine undergoes fermentation in a combination of French and American oak barrels, followed by 10 months of aging on the lees and partial malolactic fermentation. This carefully crafted process yields a Chardonnay with a rich texture and delightful flavors of vanilla and toast.