Failla Estate Vineyard Chardonnay, Fort Ross-Seaview, California

Four miles inland from the Pacific, Failla’s elevated coastal estate provides the setting for 2023 Failla Estate Vineyard Chardonnay. Heritage Wente selections and dry-farmed vines give this small-production wine its foundation, while native fermentation and eleven months on lees develop texture around a bright citrus core. Concrete, foudre and French oak contribute to an expression defined by floral detail, savoury complexity and coastal freshness.

Product Details:

• Grape Variety: Chardonnay.
• Clonal Selection: Heritage Wente mix.
• ABV: 13.2%.
• pH: 3.28.
• Titratable Acidity: 5.7 g/L.
• Fermentation: Native yeasts.
• Lees Ageing: 11 months.
• Maturation Vessels: Stated allocations include 15% new French oak, 30% concrete egg and 25% Austrian foudre.
• Harvest Date: 4 October 2023.
• Bottling Date: August 2024.
• Farming: Biodynamic and dry-farmed.
• Vineyard: Failla Estate Vineyard, first planted in 1998.
• Elevation: Approximately 1,400 feet.
• Estate Size: A 90-acre ranch with eight acres under vine, as recorded in the vintage technical sheet.
• Production: 208 cases.
• Owner and Winemaker: Ehren Jordan.
• Co-founders: Ehren Jordan and Anne-Marie Failla.

Sensory Description:

Lemon peel, jasmine and white pepper introduce a mineral-led aromatic profile, with white peach, chamomile and fresh herbs adding detail. The palate combines concentration with refined texture, carrying citrus fruit and a saline impression through a bright line of acidity. Subtle oak supports the fruit, while flinty notes and a persistent citrus finish give the wine definition.

Awards & Accolades:

• 96 Points: Decanter, April 2025.
• 96 Points: Antonio Galloni, Vinous.
• 94 Points: JamesSuckling.com, 2025.
• 91 Points: Wine Spectator.

Winemaker's Background:

Founded in 1998 by Ehren Jordan and Anne-Marie Failla, the winery first released wines as Failla-Jordan while planting the earliest blocks of its coastal estate. Jordan’s experience includes working with Jean-Luc Colombo in the northern Rhône, an influence reflected in his close attention to farming and restrained cellar approach. Failla subsequently expanded its vineyard relationships across California and Oregon, retaining a focus on cool sites and wines that express the distinctions of vineyard, variety and vintage.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve at approximately 10–12°C in a generously proportioned white wine glass. Pair with grilled halibut, butter-basted scallops, roast chicken or mushroom risotto. Its acidity and saline character also complement creamy sauces and seafood pasta. Enjoy now with gentle aeration if initially reserved, or cellar under cool, stable conditions for further development.