Sanford 2022 Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay

Tasting Notes

The Sanford Winery 2022 Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay is a highly balanced, Burgundian-style white wine crafted from 100% Chardonnay grapes. Sourced exclusively from the cool-climate Sta. Rita Hills AVA in Santa Barbara County, this estate-grown bottling utilizes 90% fruit from the La Rinconada vineyard and 10% from the historic Sanford & Benedict vineyard. The grapes are hand-harvested, whole-cluster pressed, and barrel-fermented before aging for 11 months in French oak barrels (25% new), undergoing full malolactic fermentation. The wine displays a bright straw-golden color and bursts with vibrant aromas of grilled lemons, dried flowers, chamomile, and warm toasted almonds. On the palate, it delivers a rich, creamy, and layered texture counterbalanced by a precise thread of crisp, saline-tinged acidity. Complex flavors of golden apple, honeyed pear, ripe apricot, and a hint of tropical guava culminate in a long, fresh finish layered with subtle background minerality and toasted hazelnuts.

This medium-to-full-bodied Chardonnay features a textured creaminess and bright maritime acidity that makes it exceptionally food-friendly. It pairs beautifully with elevated seafood dishes like buttery Dungeness crab, grilled sea bass, pan-seared scallops, or light sushi platters. The wine's subtle toasted oak and hazelnut notes harmonize effortlessly with roasted or rotisserie chicken, pork tenderloin, and pasta tossed in light cream or brown butter sauces. Additionally, its rich mid-palate and earthy undertones complement mushroom-forward dishes—particularly wild chanterelle or morel risottos—as well as artisanal cheese and fruit boards featuring brie or mild gouda.

Critical Acclaim

94 Points from Wine Enthusiast

93 Points from James Suckling

The 2022 Sanford Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay has earned highly favorable reviews from major wine publications, demonstrating how compelling and well-articulated the vintage is despite a rapid ripening season. Leading the critical praise, Wine Enthusiast awarded the bottling an impressive 94 points, with reviewer Matt Kettmann highlighting its ripe aromas of melon, salted white peach, and caramel balanced by tense lime-pith scents. He praised its deep, layered mineral tones on the palate, noting distinctive flavors of oyster shell, chalk, and toast. James Suckling scored the wine a 93, calling it "delicious, generous, and moderately oaked," while emphasizing its warm, toasted almond aromas alongside crisp golden apple, kiwi, and tropical guava flavors.

750ml