2019 Shafer Vineyards Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch

The Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch Carneros from Shafer is golden yellow in color and gives an aroma of ripe fruit and vanilla. The wine has a powerful, firm taste in which soft fruit, fresh acids, impressions of butter and toasted oak come forward. In addition, the wine has a striking, cool elegance. The name “Red Shoulder Ranch” comes from the red plumage of the hawks, which together with other birds of prey ensure that the population of mice and rats in Shafer's vineyards remains naturally under control. Serve Chardonnay 'Red Shoulder Ranch' Carneros from Shafer at 12-14 °C with rich fish dishes, grilled/roasted shellfish, white meat and poultry, pastas, vegetable dishes or salads.

The hand-harvested ripe grapes are selected and then pressed in whole bunches. Fermentation in barriques and stainless steel barrels with grape-specific yeasts. Shafer deliberately omits the 2nd fermentation in this wine to keep the wine more "crispy" and less "loggy" than many American Chardonnays. 25% of the wine is matured in stainless steel 225 l barrels, the rest matures in new French barriques (Allier and Vosges). The wine is aged in wood for 14 months.

FACT: The wine is in our conditioned Wine Warehouse and if you come to pick up the wine you will often also receive a nice discount. You will see your discount immediately when you choose 'Pick up' on the checkout page. We are located in Dordrecht almost next to the A16 with plenty of parking. Click here for our address.  

ABOUT SHAFER VINEYARDS

Shafer Vineyards was founded in 1972, when John Shafer, after a successful career in publishing, together with his son Doug, purchased vineyards on the Silverado Trail in Napa Valley. They purchased 84 hectares, of which 12 were planted with vines. A program of replanting and replanting was immediately implemented. From the start, the Shafers have been very innovative. The goal was to arrive at a completely natural way of growing grapes and making wine. By growing clover and peas, among other things, which in addition to preventing erosion also form a rich humus layer, bees and other insects are attracted that ensure optimal pollination and a natural habitat. The use of pesticides can therefore be avoided. Winemaker Elias Fernandez has been working at Shafer since 1994 and is considered one of the most talented winemakers in Napa.

ABOUT CARNEROS

The Carneros area is located on the northern shore of San Francisco Bay, just south of Napa Valley and the city of Sonoma. Carneros is the southern part of both Napa and Sonoma County. The area comprises a total of 3,237 ha, on the Napa side 615 ha and on the Sonoma side 2,622 ha of vineyards. It is a cool area, slightly hilly, bordering San Pablo Bay. A fresh wind provides morning fog daily. It is one of the coolest wine regions in California, which is why grape varieties such as Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in particular produce fantastic qualities here.