Marimar Estate, La Masia Chardonnay, California, USA 2023

Why “La Masía”?

La Masía means The Farmhouse in Catalonia, my home region, as our winery is designed to resemble a classic Catalan farmhouse. My family has grown grapes in Spain since the 17th century and our philosophy has always been to produce a wine as an extension of farming the vineyard.

The Don Miguel Vineyard

Named after the late patriarch of the Torres family, this sustainable vineyard is located in the Green Valley — the coolest, foggiest region of the Russian River Valley, only ten miles from the Pacific. Planted in the European-style high density of over 2,000 vines/acre, the yields are low and labour is intensive; but the vines live longer and the grapes acquire better balance and greater concentration, as well as more elegance and finesse.

The Vinification

The grapes were harvested September 10 – 14, then gently whole-cluster pressed and barrel fermented, using our own indigenous yeast, in premium French oak barrels, 30% new, coopered by Damy from the forest of Allier. After undergoing 100% malolactic fermentation, the wine was aged on its lees for nine months and bottled in August 2024.

The Clones

The blend of clones in this vintage is 54% See, 27% Rued, and 19% Spring Mountain.

Tasting Notes

Exuberant, lovely nose, fresh and complex, with notes of citrus and pear. On the palate it is long, complex and mouthfilling, excellent acid balance, and a framework of oak in the background that is nicely integrated, adding notes of hazelnut and almond. It is delightful to drink right now but it will continue to develop and last for at least 15 to 20 years. I would recommend serving it at 46°- 48° F

Marimar Estate

With a family history of winemaking that dates back to 1870, it was maybe not surprising that Marimar Torres, sister of the legendary Miguel A Torres, would continue the family’s legacy of producing exceptional wines.

In 1981 she started the search for the perfect property to plant a vineyard, and – after two years of searching – she bought 25 hectares of land in Sonoma County, close to the town of Sebastopol in the Russian River Valley appellation, an area which arguably produces the finest Pinot Noir in all of California. Today the Don Miguel Vineyard encompasses 50 planted acres. About 20 are planted with Chardonnay, 20 with Pinot Noir, five with Albariño, five with Tempranillo, two with Syrah and one with an experimental block of Godello.