Third generation continues family tradition.

Founded in 1971, Husch is the oldest winery in the picturesque Anderson Valley. The vineyards are comprised of some of the earliest varietal plantings on the valley floor. In 1967 Tony and Gretchen Husch bought the 60-acre Nunn ranch between Philo and Navarro on Highway 128. The land was well known for growing apples and grains. They soon planted eight acres of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Gewurztraminer grapes on the cool slopes of the property. The plantings sweep down towards the pristine Navarro River. The first official crush was in the fall of 1971.

In 1979, Hugo Oswald Jr. bought the 6,000 case Husch Winery from the Husch family. The Oswald family had been growing pears in the Santa Clara Valley, but when the area was expanding they sold the land and headed for the southern tip of Mendocino County. Today Husch Vineyards remains owned and operated by the 3rd Generation of the Oswald family: Zac Robinson and Amanda Robinson Holstine. Winemaking is under the direction of Brad Holstine (Amanda's husband). Al White, in charge of all viticulture operations, has been with Husch since 1974. Through the years Husch has modernized and expanded, but it has never lost its initial rustic charm or reputation for great wines.

Winemaker Notes
The 2022 Chardonnay showcases fruit, balance and the beauty of Mendocino. Enchanting aromas and flavors of white stone fruit, freshly-cut Honeycrisp and Meyer lemon zest are beautifully framed by a light touch of oak. Layered on the palate, this well-structured wine is rich and sustained by its natural acidity. Delightful on its own, it can also be paired with grilled lemon pepper chicken, Alaskan king crab, creamy Alfredo pasta or a chilled butternut squash soup.

History
Our popular estate Chardonnay is crafted with a blend of grapes from our warm and cool weather vineyards. The fruit from our warmer vineyards along the Russian River provide vibrant tropical flavors to the finished wine, while our cooler Anderson Valley grapes provides delicate nuances of white stone fruit, a floral component, and subtle minerality.

Winemaking
We had a long harvest in 2022. With Chardonnay ripening at different rates due to erratic weather patterns, we divided our picks over the course of thirty days. While this elongated the harvest it allowed us to pick each vineyard block at its peak point of ripeness. The grapes were harvested in the cool morning hours and immediately crushed and pressed. Each lot was inoculated with specially selected yeast strains and, once fermenting, the juice was transferred to oak barrels. Here fermentation finished and the wine underwent sur lie aging (aging on the yeast lees). By stirring the wine and less in the barrels every couple of weeks we add texture and richness to the wine while still letting the fruit character shine through. Just prior to bottling we blended the separate lots to create a wine showing the balance of our distinct microclimates.

13.9% ABV

Harvest Date: Sept 3 - Oct 4, 2022
Sugar at Harvest: 23.1-24.3° Brix
pH: 3.5
Total acid: 6.20 g/L
Fermentation: Barrels & stainless steel tanks
Maturation: 8 months in barrel (12% new)
Release Date: June, 2023
Cases produced: 10500
Cellaring: 2-5 years with careful aging