The fruit for this wine comes from select vineyards within the Sonoma Coast region, including the Russian River Valley, Carneros and the southern Sonoma Valley. These cool climate appellations are characterized by foggy mornings and cool breezes that keep the fruit at an optimum temperature: perfect conditions for growing premium Chardonnay grapes. The fruit for this wine was whole-cluster pressed and fermented in French oak barrels and stainless steel tanks. The wine was allowed to age “sur lies” for seven months with a portion of the wine undergoing malolactic fermentation. The individual lots were then selected for blending and bottling.

Located in the heart of Sonoma County Valley of the Moon Winery has been operated as a winery since 1863. George Whitman, the original vintner, sold it to Eli T. Sheppard, former consul to China, in 1883. It was renamed Madrone Vineyards and since then has passed through the hands of Senator George Hearst, father of William Randolph Hears, and the California Wine Association.

Madrone Vineyards was revitalized in 1941 when the estate was purchased by Enrico Parducci and Peter Domenici. From 1941 to 1956 Parducci and Domenici ran the winery and vineyards, renaming it Valley of the Moon Winery. The Parducci family continued to produce wines in the Valley of the Moon until March 1997. Since Heck Estates purchased it, Valley of the Moon Winery has experienced a renaissance, which combines the property’s significant past with its inspiring future as a producer of premium Sonoma Wines.