The grapes for this Chardonnay were handpicked during the cool hours of the night in small five-gallon buckets. The fruit was hand sorted in the vineyard and gently whole cluster pressed at the winery. After pressing, the wine underwent primary and malolactic fermentation in a combination of 25% new and 75% used French oak. This discrete use of new oak allowed the fruit to shine. During extended blending trials that produced countless blends from different permutations of the field selections (and clones), blocks and barrels, we determined that our 2007 Chardonnay was at its best and seamlessly balanced when all of the barrels were blended together, including those we had set aside for the Reserve bottling. The result is that there will be no separate Reserve Chardonnay in 2007. This wine is comprised of 75% small berried old Hyde field selection chosen for its richness and sleek structure and 25% old Wente for its luscious fruit and grace.