This Old Stage Monterey Chardonnay offers a flavourful and complex taste experience. With its focused notes of citrus, pear and tangerine and subtle oak spice, it reveals a creamy texture and smooth, lingering finish. Enjoy the refreshing mineral nuances and impeccable balance.

Experience the unmistakable taste of Old Stage Monterey Chardonnay! Rich and buttery, it's perfect for chicken and pork dishes in creamy sauces. Enjoy the smooth, classic notes of this perfect partner for Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners! 

About the Producer

The Franscioni family is one of the most important vineyard owners in northern Monterey. Now in the hands of the fourth generation, they own 290-hectares of coolclimate, sustainably grown and California Sustainable Wine Growing Alliance certified vines. They grow primarily Chardonnay and Pinot Noir at the foot of the Gabilan Mountain Range. They sell grapes to some of the biggest names in the industry, but they retain some of the best for themselves. Their consultant winemaker is the industry pioneer and veteran, Dan Karlsen, who with over 40 harvests under his belt, has made wine at illustrious neighbours Talbott and Chalone. With a deftness of touch, he crafts true cool-climate expressions of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir which offer exceptional value for money.

Vineyard and Winery

The fruit comes from the estate ‘Grava’ vineyard, which is one of the most northerly plantings in Monterey County. It nestles up to the Gabilan Mountain Range on the eastern side of the Salinas Valley; approximately 10 miles directly across from the Santa Lucia Highlands. The marine influence of the nearby Monterey Bay and the morning fog which clears for the afternoon sun, results in a cool mesoclimate and a long hang-time for the fruit. The grapes reflect the cool climate character, with complex aromatics and flavours and natural balancing acidity. The vineyard is cultivated sustainably and are certified by the California Sustainable Wine Growing Alliance. Vines are VSP trained and pruned to two bud spurs spaced approximately 10cm apart; the vines are shoot thinned, leaf pulled and shoots are positioned with wire moves. These methods ensure adequate sunlight for optimising fruit-forward expression in the wines.

The grapes were whole cluster pressed and racked to ferment under temperature controlled conditions. The wine spent nine months maturing in a combination of stainless steel vats to retain the pure fruit character with French oak influence to impart complexity. The wine underwent 100% malolactic conversion, resulting in a softer texture. The wine was lightly filtered prior to bottling.