ARNOT-ROBERTS WATSON RANCH CHARDONNAY 2023

In the wind-swept southern edge of Napa Valley, Arnot-Roberts sources exceptional Chardonnay from Watson Ranch, a historic hillside vineyard overlooking San Pablo Bay adjacent to an abandoned limestone quarry. Planted in 1993 by veteran grower Salvador Ramos at 450 feet elevation, this organically farmed site's distinction lies in its rare calcareous clay over limestone soils—a geological anomaly found only in a narrow fin at the tail of the Vaca Mountains. These well-drained soils, combined with the cool maritime climate, create ideal conditions for vibrant, mineral-driven Chardonnay. The 2022 vintage captures this unique terroir brilliantly, offering precise citrus flavors complemented by saline minerality and crystalline acidity—a California expression that bridges Old World structure with New World fruit.