The Arroyo Seco AVA lies on the western edge of the Salinas Valley where the Santa Lucia Mountains start to rise from the valley floor. Cool air flow from the mountains and nearby Pacific Ocean allows for a long growing season and intensely-flavored Chardonnay grapes. The first commercial vineyards were planted here in 1961 and the AVA was established in 1983. This is truly vine country, with no lavish wine estates nestled among the vineyards. Arroyo Seco Chardonnays are noted for their buttery richness and the Wente Riva Ranch Chardonnay exhibits that style. This is a luscious and smooth Chardonnay with a fine balance. It shows ripe apple and pineapple fruit, hints of vanilla and spice from barrel aging, and the classic buttery butterscotchy richness emblematic of Arroyo Seco Chardonnay. If you like the rich, round and ripe style of California Chardonnay, give the Wente Riva Ranch a try.
Wente Vineyards, Arroyo Seco (Monterey County, California) Chardonnay 2020
By Wayne Belding