The 2020 Sarah’s Vineyard Madonne Blanc is our effort to emulate the traditional white wines of the southern Rhône Valley. It is a marriage of California soils and climate to a classically styled blend of estate grown Rhone white varieties.Our estate vineyards bridge the historic Santa Clara Valley and the cooler climate “Mt. Madonna” district of the southern Santa Cruz Mountains. Here
fog and winds from nearby Monterey Bay dramatically cool down the estate, extending the season and providing unique conditions for growing complex Rhône cultivars.
To create our estate Madonne Blanc, we actually make 4 individual wines, then blend them carefully to make the best wine we can. In the 2020 vintage, the final cépage was 53% Roussanne, 21% Grenache Blanc, 21% Clairette Blanche, and 5% Picpoul Blanc.
The ’20 Madonne Blanc displays bright citrus aromas and flavors of Meyer lemon and lime, as well as pastry - think key lime pie. The wine is bright with balanced acidity and a creaminess on the palate. The 2020 Estate Madonne Blanc would pair well with a roasted beet salad with goat cheese or a citrusy
chicken piccata.
Appellation: Santa Clara Valley
Vineyard: Sarah's Estate
Grower: Tim Slater
Alcohol: 13.5
Cooperage: Neutral French Oak, 7 months
Production: 193
