Rhys Vineyards Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay 2022 CS20230516 and Souzao—aged in large barrels

and Souzao—aged in large barrels before bottling

Bittersweet on the palate

and the family treats their sparkling wines with the same seriousness as their still ones

medium-bodied wine with fresh acidity

A worthy sipping tequila

Rhys Vineyards Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay 2022 CS20230516 and Souzao—aged in large barrelsHigh on the Alpine Vineyard's exposed western slope, where chalky Purisima soils meet Pacific cooling, Chardonnay achieves rare elegance. Rhys' natural whole cluster pressing and year long fermentation without racking create a wine floral and aromatic yet grounded by crisp, concentrated fruitlime zest, kiwi, mineral, Anjou pearheld firmly by vivid acidity. Chardonnay that invites contemplation.