Santa Maria Valley's classic Chardonnay style lives in this wine from 50-year-old Wente-clone vines at Riverbench Vineyard. Alluvial soils—clay, silt, sand, gravel, sandstone, river cobble—create the mineral-driven balance that defines place. Stainless steel fermentation followed by 16 months in mostly neutral French barrels yields an unfined, unfiltered expression of what Santa Maria does best. Natural tartrate crystals may form, proof of the wine's authenticity.