Sante Arcangeli Family Wines 'Split Rail Vineyard' Chardonnay, Santa Cruz Mountains

Wet stone, citrus cream, and apple blossom rise with cool precision, introducing a Chardonnay defined by tension, texture, and maritime freshness. 2024 Sante Arcangeli Family Wines Split Rail Vineyard Chardonnay comes from a dramatic high-elevation site surrounded by redwoods, where coastal fog, dry farming, and careful élevage shape a wine of depth, salinity, and remarkable regional character. Crafted by John Benedetti with restraint and instinct, it reflects a philosophy rooted in clarity, balance, and site-specific expression.

Product Details:

• Winemaker/ Owner: John Benedetti
  
• Varietal: Chardonnay
  
• Alcohol: 13.2%
  
• Farming: Dry-farmed vineyard
  
• Vineyard: Split Rail Vineyard
  
• Elevation: 1,700 feet
  
• Soil: Mixed geological soils on an ancient lake bed
  
• Clones: Dijon 115 and 667
  
• Harvest: Picked at approximately 22 Brix before late-season heat
  
• Fermentation: Barrel and concrete egg fermentation
  
• Aging: 10 months on lees in barrel and concrete egg, 20% new French oak

Sensory Description:

A pale gold color introduces aromas of wet stone, apple blossom, white florals, clean honey, Meyer lemon, and a subtle hint of marzipan. The palate is energetic and finely cut, with Chablis-like brightness carrying flavors of lemongrass, white melon, yellow citrus, and orchard fruit. Concrete egg aging enhances the wine’s saline, briny character, while lees contact brings texture and depth without excess weight. Notes of ginger, saffron, citrus cream, and crushed mineral build through the mid-palate, finishing long, zesty, and mouthwatering with a persistent coastal freshness.

Awards & Accolades:

• 96 Points: Decanter, "A stunning Chardonnay, proving among the best of the region..."
  
• 93 Points: Wine Advocate, "Racy, tense and svelte... with a mouthwatering, mineral-driven finish..."

Winemaker’s Background:

Sante Arcangeli Family Wines was founded by John Benedetti as a tribute to his great-grandfather, Sante Arcangeli, and to the family legacy that shaped his early connection to food, wine, and craft. Benedetti’s path began with brewing before evolving into a focused pursuit of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the Santa Cruz Mountains. His winemaking is thoughtful and adaptive, guided by vintage, vineyard, and instinct rather than fixed rules. Split Rail Vineyard, his primary site, is a small, dry-farmed property perched above the fog, and its combination of elevation, coastal influence, redwood surroundings, and complex soils gives this Chardonnay its distinctive tension and salinity.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve at 10°C in a Burgundy glass to highlight its mineral precision, citrus intensity, and lees-driven texture. Pair with shellfish, soft cheeses, roasted white fish, scallops, crab, or poultry in light cream sauces. Its acidity and saline finish also make it especially well-suited to dishes with lemon, herbs, or careful butter-based preparations.