Cellar for up to 3 years. Serve chilled. Prolific art collector and wine enthusiast Donald Hess became fascinated by mountain winegrowing while on a business trip to Napa Valley in the 1970s. After extensive research into the terroir, in 1978 he took the plunge and purchased 900 acres of land on Mount Veeder in Napa. Hess’s gamble paid off and today the winery has a reputation for crafting elegant yet powerful mountain wines which express the natural beauty of their hillside vineyards. Hess’s minimalist winemaking approach begins in the vineyard itself. Their Director of Winemaking Dave Guffy spends his days walking the vines and continually tasting the grapes during harvest to ensure they are picked at optimum ripeness. For this stunning Chardonnay Guffy sources fruit from their 352 acre Shirtail estate in Monterey. The cool sea breezes help create ideal growing conditions for Chardonnay, preserving plenty of freshness and aromatics in the fruit at harvest time. Bright apple, mango, lychee and citrus notes define the nose, along with delicate undertones of woodsmoke, toast and spice from the oak ageing. On the palate there’s a mouthwatering natural acidity which makes this a great aperitif or partner for spicy Asian salads, fresh seafood, or a grilled tuna steak served with burnt lemon and zingy salsa.