The humble "Santa Barbara County" designation on this wine doesn't do justice to the pedigree of the fruit contained within! Sourced entirely from famed Sanford & Benedict and Zotovich Vineyards in the Sta. Rita Hills. Sanford & Benedict is revered as the oldest planting of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the region, has long secured Grand Cru status. You rarely get to taste fruit from this legendary vineyard under $50. The mature vines at S&B grow in clay soils filled with fractured piece of chert, or flint. The wines are powerful and dense. The other component of the blend comes from Zotovich Vineyard across the valley, on the northern side of the Sta Rita Hills. Here the soils are pure wind-blown sand giving the wine a contrasting lift of crystalline fruit and electric acidity. Winemaker Ryan Deovlet is subtle with his winemaking inputs allowing the quality of the fruit to take center stage. Mostly neutral oak is used to give just a subtle framing to the wine. It's long and mouthwatering on the palate with far more persistence and refinement that you might expect at this everyday price point. Utterly delicious!

The 2022 Deovlet Santa Barbara County Chardonnay aged 12 months in 300-liter barrels and an additional 4 months in tank. It's round and zesty—poached pear flecked with lemon peel, soft vanilla notes, butterscotch and a subtle lemony marzipan finish.