Nose
Aromas of ripe pear, honeysuckle, green apple, and zesty citrus rind.
Palate
The 2022 Benziger Running Wild Chardonnay balances a creamy Chardonnay style with energetic acidity. A balanced, full-bodied wine with flavors of rich manuka honey, butterscotch, and a hint of nutmeg that closes with a round, lingering finish.
Growing Conditions
Prior to harvest, the grapes from our Paicines AVA vineyards in San Benito County soak up the warm daytime sunshine to develop alluring aromas, before the cooling afternoon breeze helps maintain the grapes’ natural, lively acidity.
Benziger vineyards and winemaking facilities are all triple certified—Sustainable, Organic and Biodynamic. Every wine in our portfolio carries a third-party certification of green farming practice. The result is distinctive, authentic wines, expressive of the vineyards.
Harvest
The grapes are handpicked at peak ripeness, during the cool evening hours, to preserve those essential acid levels.
Winemaking
In the cellar, our winemaker meticulously oversees every step of the process, resulting in an unmatched Chardonnay. 100% of the wine undergoes malolactic fermentation and batonnage for four months to build texture. Our winemaker carefully selects French oak, which provides structure and subtle notes of spice and warm vanilla without overpowering the wine. The result is a balanced, full-bodied wine with rich flavors.
