In the past we have described our SHV as our second label Chardonnay from our youngest vines. And that part is still true. However, those vines are now fourteen years old and considered mature by any standard. The fruit they are giving us now makes a wine with more depth and ageability than previously, which will stand on its own in any Chardonnay crowd. Although both of Stony Hill’s Chardonnays are from the Wente Clone, the SHV is lighter in weight and density in the mouth and has a flavor profile with tropical fruit overtones. Mary Burklow describes it as lemon squeezed over papaya. And this is where terroir comes in. Although most of our vineyards are east and northeast facing and don’t receive late afternoon sun, five out of eight acres of the SHV grapes are planted in our highest vineyard, at 1,400 feet elevation, on a west facing slope. We think it’s the afternoon sun from that western exposure that gives added heat and changes the phenols in the grapes, thus accounting for the different flavor profile. This is an agreeable, food-friendly wine to serve with Mike’s Farmhouse style Prawn Risotto also available online.