Ramey Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2017

David Ramey started his career in wine with an enology degree and a dream. Over the course of two decades, he made benchmark wines for California wineries such as Matanzas Creek, Chalk Hill, Dominus and Rudd. In 1996, David Ramey and his wife Carla founded Ramey Wine Cellars. "Owning one's own winery is the dream of every winemaker," David says, looking back on the path that led him to build his own. It took time, planning and a profound understanding of how best to bring together all the elements-from the grapes, to the winery materials, and a top-notch team of professionals-to make it all work.

This Chardonnay is made from fruit from several parts of the Russian River Valley : 38% from four different Dutton ranches (Perry, Mengle, Sebastopol & Mill Station); 17% from Martinelli’s Laughlin Road Vineyard; 13% from King Vineyard; 13% from four Rochioli vineyards (Allen, Mid-40, River, Hill); 10% from Forchini Vineyard; 5% from Westside Farms; and 4% Frostwatch. Goldridge loam and gravelly soils give a crisper mouthfeel to Russian River Chardonnays compared with their Carneros counterparts.