Established in 1953- the Hanzell Estate sits at the southern tip of the Mayacamas mountain range and has been in the hands of the Brye family since 1975. Their approach has been increasingly holistic and today the vineyards resemble a proper farm with chickens sheep and pigs roaming amongst the vines and the addition of a vegetable garden and fruit trees. The ‘Heritage’ Chardonnay is a blended from all 32 acres of the estate which are planted on a mix of rocky/volcanic and clay/loam soils. The wine ferments in 72 % stainless steel with 28% barrel-fermented it then spends 18 months in a mixture of new and old French oak and some steel tanks. This is one of the most balanced age-worthy Chardonnays coming out of Sonoma.