Have you tasted Santa Barbara County chardonnay lately? You should!
The cooler microclimates of the county are producing some really lovely, food-friendly chards.
I’ve been especially impressed with newly released chardonnays from the Santa Maria Valley and the Sta. Rita Hills appellations in particular, from producers such as La Fenêtre, Solomon Hills, Deovlet, Presqu’ile, Riverbench, Alta Maria, Byron, Cambria, Sanford, Foxen, Sierra Madre, Au Bon Climat, and Qupé.
All of these wineries and many more will pour their “golden girls” at the fourth annual Chardonnay Symposium July 19 through 21 in the Santa Maria Valley.
More than 50 chardonnay producers from around the world will gather to enlighten consumers, the industry, and the media during the weekend celebration featuring a not-to-be-missed wine dinner, tastings, a seminar, and cuisine.
It’s the only event of its kind in the United States focusing on chardonnay—America’s top-selling wine.
The Grand Tasting from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 20, is set outside at Byron Vineyards’ private facility overlooking the Santa Maria Valley.
It’s a terrific chance to taste new releases from top wineries. Compare and contrast all the different styles of chardonnay, from crisp and tropical, to buttery and rich. And it’s often the winemaker pouring the wine into your glass!
Central Coast restaurants and caterers will provide gourmet food, and well-known local chefs will be on hand to demonstrate chardonnay food pairing recipes.
On Saturday morning, July 20, the Chardonnay Symposium will be host to an educational panel session and tasting at the Santa Maria Radisson Hotel, moderated by Wine Enthusiast’s Steve Heimoff.
The topic of the discussion is “Bring in the Clones: Do you care? Should you? Top California winemakers weigh in on everything you ever wondered about clones and selections.”
Every grape varietal, including chardonnay, has been propagated to preserve unique characteristics. There are dozens of chardonnay clones. Each clone can taste different; some show higher yields than others, respond differently to climate, and so on. Registered clones are numbered or named, e.g., Clone 4, 17, and 76.
Karl Wente of Wente Vineyards in Livermore Valley is among the impressive panelists set to talk about clones.
About 101 years ago, the Wente family brought chardonnay cuttings from France to California. Today, the Wente clone of chardonnay is the most widely planted in California.
The rest of the regarded panel includes recent James Beard award winner Merry Edwards of Merry Edwards Winery in the Russian River Valley, Jeff Stewart of Hartford Court in Sonoma County, James Ontiveros of Alta Maria Vineyards and Native 9 in the Santa Maria Valley, Matt Dees of Jonata in the Santa Ynez Valley, Fintan du Fresne from Chamisal Vineyards in the Edna Valley, Eckhard Kaesekamp of Guillaume Grapevine Nursery, and Clarissa Nagy of Riverbench Vineyard and Winery in the Santa Maria Valley.
I recently visited Nagy and asked her about the upcoming panel discussion.
“It is absolutely an honor and to be on such an esteemed panel; I am very humbled,” she said. “There is such a plethora of experience and just a wealth of knowledge, so I’m just really looking forward to being with them. I think consumers will get a lot out of it.”
On Friday night, July 19, colleagues will honor local wine legend Jim Clendenen, the “Mind Behind” Au Bon Climat wines, during a tribute dinner at the historic Bien Nacido Adobe in the heart of the famed Bien Nacido Vineyards east of Santa Maria.
“It’s just going to be a beautiful night under the stars,” said Chris Slaughter, executive director of the Santa Maria Valley Wine Country Association. “Dinner there at night is just gorgeous. The moon rises over the mountains, and it’s just a magical place to be!”
Chef Rick Manson will prepare a four-course meal paired with Au Bon Climat wines, in addition to wines from Sandhi, Qupé, Chanin, and Hitching Post.
The Tepusquet Tornadoes will rock the night away, with special musical guests including Gary Burk.
The casual, fun night will certainly feature a who’s who of the Santa Barbara County wine industry. Star sommelier/winemaker Rajat Parr, longtime business partner Bob Lindquist of Qupé, the Hitching Post’s Frank Ostini, winemaker Gavin Chanin, and others will regale the crowd with stories of Clendenen’s influence on the industry.
“We are thrilled to honor Jim Clendenen, who made his own way into the world of wine from his roots in the Santa Maria Valley to become one of the most iconic, celebrated winemakers known today,” Slaughter said. “Jim’s vision for creating balanced, elegant chardonnay and pinot noir from our cool climate vineyards has inspired a generation of winemakers and wine enthusiasts and has brought international attention to both Au Bon Climat and the Santa Maria Valley.”
To learn more about the Chardonnay Symposium or buy tickets, visit thechardonnaysymposium.com.
Sun wine and food columnist Wendy Thies Sell will see you at the Chardonnay Symposium! Send story ideas to wthies@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Jul 11-18, 2013.
