Description
Hawk Hill Vineyard is named after the Red Tail and Cooper’s hawks that are regularly seen riding the thermals above the vineyard. Owned and farmed by Bill and Margaret Yarak, Hawk Hill Vineyard is nestled in the confluence of the Green Valley and Freestone sub-AVAs, where Salmon Creek and Russian River watersheds meet. The vineyard sits in a gusty canyon where the cool ocean wind whips inland during the summer months. Hallmarks of the site include classic Goldridge series soils, Old Wente and Montrachet clonal selections, and meticulous farming practices. The resulting wines consistently boast remarkable minerality, tension, and complexity.
Hand-picked at night on October 10th, whole cluster direct to press and juice was cold-settled overnight. Cold settled for 24 hours, then put into both concrete egg and neutral puncheon, 20% new. Cool native fermentation at 58-60°F for 14-16 days and spontaneous malolactic fermentation. Lees stirred in puncheons once a month through the spring. Aged for a total of 11 months, then racked gently to tank in August. Bottled unfined and lightly filtered.
The 2023 Hawk Hill Vineyard Chardonnay is a focused, mineral-driven expression with racing acidity and refined texture. Aromas of lime zest and delicate white flowers open into a precise palate of green apple skin and sea salt. Subtle umami notes add depth, while time in concrete contributes a layered, tactile mouthfeel. A hint of light toast carries through the long, energetic finish, highlighting both freshness and balance, with excellent potential for aging.
