Wines Sta. Rita Hills (formerly Santa Rita Hills) Tyler - Sanford & Benedict Vineyard - 2020

Viniou Reviews

The Tyler Sanford & Benedict Vineyard 2020 white is an expressive cuvée that effortlessly encapsulates the unique character of Sta. Rita Hills AVA, California. This particular wine is almost certainly crafted from Chardonnay, which is the flagship white grape of this celebrated vineyard. The 2020 vintage benefited from a growing season marked by moderate temperatures and minimal rainfall, fostering a slow, even ripening process. The vineyard’s proximity to the Pacific Ocean delivers cool breezes and morning fog, ideal for preserving acidity and enhancing aromatic complexity. In the cellar, Tyler’s approach tends to favour gentle pressing, partial or whole-cluster fermentation, and careful aging in French oak barrels, resulting in a balanced wine with both finesse and depth.

Sta. Rita Hills, on California’s Central Coast, is renowned for its remarkable terroir, particularly its transverse mountain ranges, which funnel oceanic influences deep inland. The soils are a mosaic of marine sediment, loam, and calcareous components, contributing to the region's reputation for Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs with precision and minerality. Established as an AVA in 2001 and initially named Santa Rita Hills, the region changed its name to Sta. Rita Hills to avoid confusion with a Chilean wine producer. The area is highly respected within the Californian winemaking community for its distinct mesoclimate and its role in advancing cool-climate viticulture.

This vibrant Chardonnay is best matched with dishes that embrace freshness and subtlety. Consider pairing it with grilled sea bass, lobster with a delicate beurre blanc, or simple roast chicken with lemon and herbs. Regional Californian cuisine, such as Dungeness crab cakes or freshly shucked oysters, would also make excellent companions, allowing the wine’s mineral-driven acidity and nuanced oak to shine.

For optimal enjoyment, serve this wine chilled, but not too cold, ideally between 10-12°C. Decanting for about 30 minutes can help to reveal its layered aromas of white peach, citrus blossom, and toasted almond. Sipping slowly will allow you to appreciate both the Rutherford minerality and the luxurious texture that this nuanced Chardonnay has to offer.