We are extremely pleased to present our very first Westside Farms Chardonnay produced under the Alysian label. Though new to Alysian, this is certainly not a new vineyard for our winemaker Gary Farrell. In fact, he produced designated wines from this vineyard under his namesake brand for nearly 20 years. Gary considers the Chardonnay from Westside Farms to be “of benchmark quality and status”; with a fruit profile so pure and regionally correct, it sets the standard for what (in his opinion) other Russian River Valley Chardonnays should strive to be.

Thanks to his longstanding relationship with the vineyard’s owners (Ron and Pam Kaiser) and their very capable vineyard management team headed by Kevin Barr, Gary was able to negotiate for the purchase of a few tons of grapes from the highly acclaimed (and highly allocated) Block 3. This 20+ year old block was planted by Kevin Barr to Clone 4 on AXR rootstock, and continues to dazzle winemakers with its generosity of fruit and extraordinarily high levels of mouthwatering natural acidity.

Though our 2009 Russian River Selection Chardonnay is a blended wine from three very different and distinct properties, it should never be considered a “lesser wine” to our single vineyard offerings. It was crafted from three most coveted Chardonnay properties…all of which we also use for vineyard designated wines. Through careful blending, we were able to compose a wine that seamlessly integrates the many complimenting nuances of multiple clones and terriors into one single bottling. By example, clones 76 and 95 (Floodgate Vineyard and Cresta Ridge) contribute tremendous bright acidity, crisp citrus fruit and a proud stature, while Clone 4 (Westside Farms) fills out the mid-palate with depth, richness and wonderful accents of honey, pear and apricot. Many would consider the blend of these components superior to any individual component tasted alone.

Vineyard blending is becoming a lost art in the ultra-premium sector of California winemaking. Globally, many of the most respected and decorated winemakers covet the art of component blending and consider it an essential tool in crafting the very best, most complete cuvees. Unfortunately, consumers have come to believe single vineyard offerings represent the very best a winery has to offer. This has never been true with our wines, as our blended appellation wines have often been preferred (by some) to our designated offerings.

Gary and Debbie Farrell purchased the 23 acre estate now known as Starr Ridge Vineyard in 1996. “We were immediately drawn to this property for its breathtaking beauty and undeniable vineyard potential,” Gary explains. “The diversity of soil types, rolling topography and cool, breezy Russian River Valley location provided the ideal setting for the cultivation of extraordinary Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wine grapes.”

Multiple clones were matched to low-vigor rootstocks individually selected for each soil type. A variety of planting densities and watering zones were also incorporated, to best suit the needs of each vineyard block. “Considering fruit from this property would supply our own wine brand, our focus never deviated from maximizing the incredible quality potential from this site.”

Purchased and developed by Gary & Debbie Farrell in 1999, Cresta Ridge Vineyard is highly coveted for its cool, Green Valley location and highly desirable Goldridge soils. The “no expense spared” approach to development, included matching devigorating rootstocks with low-yielding clones and close vine-spacing; “stressing” the plants into producing small quantities of very high quality fruit. This project has proven successful, with 90+ rated wines commonplace year after year from this vineyard. Gary selected fruit from his favorite section of the vineyard (Taurin) Block) for this release.

Purchased and developed by Gary & Debbie Farrell in 1999, Cresta Ridge Vineyard is highly coveted for its cool, Green Valley location and highly desirable Goldridge soils. The “no expense spared” approach to development, included matching devigorating rootstocks with low-yielding clones and close vine-spacing; “stressing” the plants into producing small quantities of very high quality fruit. Wines produced from the Taurin Block (Gary’s favorite) have proven successful, receiving 90+ ratings year after year.