A product of California’s San Joaquin Valley, Dan Warnshuis swam his way to a scholarship at Michigan State then made his way to the Silicon Valley. His growing fascination with wine led him open a shop in Napa, trade tastings alongside Ronn Wiegand – the world’s first Master Sommelier and Master of Wine – and deep appreciation for Burgundy. As a result, he became a rare retailer of Willamette Valley wines in Napa. By 2002, he had set his sights on his own estate vineyard and winery on Ribbon Ridge. Warnshuis has focused his Chardonnay program on Dijon clones 76, 95 and 96 which he farms down to 3 tons per acre, and the approach here is 20% new French oak, 40% neutral French and 40% stainless steel. That influence of 11 months in wood is discrete, allowing for enticing aromas of apple pie, Bosc pear and lemon. The flow of flavors is nicely balanced with a pleasing mouthfeel of honeydew melon and starfruit that’s finished by lemon oil.
Rating: Excellent
Production: 337 cases
Alcohol: 13.2%
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