Wines at the Summit of Excellence
Adventurous hikers who ascend 3555 feet to the top of Monterey County’s Post Summit are treated to a sweeping panorama of the Pacific Coast & the Ventana Wilderness. The magnificent view from our local summit is the inspiration to create wines that express the peak of winemaking excellence.
OUR WINE
POST SUMMIT CHARDONNAY
• Crisp minerality, delicate aromas of honeysuckle, with notes of ripe pear and Meyer lemon, finishing with creamy toastiness
• Suggested Pairings: Butternut squash risotto, oysters on the half shell, roasted salmon with beurre blanc
VINEYARDS
Our vineyards are located in the Arroyo Seco American Viticultural Area (AVA) near the town of Greenfield in Monterey County. One of the smaller California growing areas, it spans 18,000 acres with half planted to vines. While less well known than the adjoining Santa Lucia Highlands, Arroyo Seco wines are emerging as a leading region for world class Chardonnay, A cool maritime climate, ample sunshine, shaded canyons, and rocky soils produce a Chardonnay with structure, balance, and finesse.
WINEMAKING
Chardonnay
• Stainless steel fermentation for bright, crisp, fruity notes
• Partial Malolactic Fermentation: Just over ½ the wine went through a secondary, malolactic fermentation for buttery richness
• 12 months aging in French oak
• Blending: The two lots were blended to create a complex, luscious chardonnay
Jose Ramirez, Winemaker (left) & Roger Moitoso, Director of Vineyards (right) collaborate from planting to harvest to produce wines that express the special character of the Arroyo Seco.
OUR TEAM
Roger Moitoso - Vineyards
A native of Monterey County and a devoted outdoorsman, Vice President of Vineyard Operations Roger Moitoso owes his in-depth knowledge of the area’s growing conditions and soils to decades of experience. His close collaboration with our winemaker ensures that our wine expresses the special character of our vineyards.
José Ramirez - Winemaking
Our winemaker, José Ramirez, a first generation Californian, is an avid hiker and nature lover. He finds that climbing the surrounding summits is a way to recharge his creative juices after a busy day in the cellar or out in the vineyards. José is engaged in all aspects of winemaking, from vineyards to cellar, working in close collaboration with our head of Vineyard Operations Roger Moitoso.
SCORES
2020 Post Summit Chardonnay
91 Points, Tasting Panel, June/July 2022
90 Points, Wine Enthusiast, August 2022
2019 Post Summit Chardonnay
92 Points, Tasting Panel, September/October 2021