Lady of the Sunshine 'Chevey' Sauvignon Blanc/Chardonnay Edna Valley 2019

Gina Hildebrand grew up on her family’s biodynamic farm, the 86 acre Narrow Gate Vineyard, just east of Placerville in northern California’s Sierra Foothills. Now a biodynamic farmer herself, Gina established Lady of the Sunshine in 2017, taking inspiration from her family roots. She earned her degree in Wine and Viticulture and worked for several years with sustainably-focused, terroir-driven winemakers in France, New Zealand, Oregon’s Willamette Valley, and Howell Mountain in Napa. Gina now makes her home in the Edna Valley of California’s Central Coast. The motto of Lady of the Sunshine is “know your farmer” and Gina farms, sources, and makes wines that are honest-yet-playful reflections of serious vineyard sites. The 2019 Chevey is a collaborative effort in practicing organic farming at Oliver’s Vineyard (owned by Talley Vineyards) in Edna Valley. A succulent blend of 60% sauvignon blanc and 40% chardonnay from vines planted in 1991, the “Chevey” pays homage to the traditional blends of France’s Cheverny region. Both varietals were harvested the same day, crushed by foot, and soaked on the skins overnight before being whole cluster pressed separately. The juice was fermented with wild yeast in neutral French oak barrels and aged on the lees for 8 months before being racked and blended, then bottled unfined and unfiltered. Apple blossom, lime zest, ripe green apple, and tangerine preserves all dance across a palate that also boasts sunshine-bright acidity and savory oak texture before finishing with a spritz of briny sea spray. Organically grown, low-intervention/natural wine, vegan.