Presqu'ile
Presqu'ile, Santa Barbara County, California, Chardonnay, 2023
Hailing from Santa Barbara County, Presqu'ile is one of my favorite winemakers. The winery was born from a family of farming DNA that spans four generations from Arkansas to Louisiana and now to the Santa Maria Valley wine country in California. In Creole Presqu’ile means “almost an island” and the winery’s name pays homage to the family’s history, and a beloved family gathering place on the Mississippi Gulf Coast that was forever changed by Hurricane Katrina. That “almost an island” vibe makes its way to their winemaking. Although they don’t grow their wine on a literal island, their vineyards are exposed to cool ocean breezes and the benefits that this terroir brings to the wines. So bringing it back to the Chardonnay here, why is it so special? The cool climate is huge for producing grapes bouncing with acidity. They pick the grapes early so they don’t get too ripe and flabby. There’s no new oak on this wine so we aren’t going to get a buttery vanilla tropical situation. Instead, we get notes of lemon curd, green pears, wet stones, and minerals. So many California winemakers try and distinguish their Chardonnays by claiming that they are “Burgundian” but, I’ve got to tell you I had this wine side by side with a bottle of Lamy, one of my favorite White Burgundy producers, and no doubt, this wine held its own!
Serving temp: fridge cold to start but fun to let warm up while drinking
Pairing: classic roast chicken, pork rillettes, spaghetti limoné