About Fogarty
Few wine regions on earth can match Santa Cruz Mountains’ climates, soils and vertigo-inspiring views. Set high in the mountains overlooking California’s Silicon Valley, the Thomas Fogarty winery has been making single-vineyard Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet from the SCM appellation since 1981. Fogarty’s two estates are divided into micro-vineyards, ranging from .25 to 5.25 acres, based on soil and topography. All are maritime (12-18 miles to Pacific), cool-climate (Regions I and II), high-elevation (1600-2300 feet), low yielding (1-3 tons per acre) and mountainous. The winery was founded by Dr. Thomas Fogarty, a Stanford cardiovascular surgeon and world-renowned inventor.

Vineyard & Vintage
2007, what a year! The 2007 vintage was marked by numerous days of frightening weather. But, just when things seemed lost, a warm Indian summer came to the rescue and produced a small crop of fully ripe, incredibly intense fruit. Amazing vintage!

Winemaking
Our bottling of “Skyline Chardonnay” represents a diversion in our usual production methods. We eschew the use of any form of oak in this wine, instead preferring to focus on the crisp, clean and fresh characters inherent in the fruit. The grapes for this particular bottling came from two separate vineyards in Monterey County. Monterey County Chardonnay does particularly well without the influence of oak; it shows a great range of complex flavors coupled with a beautiful texture. The lots were harvested at full maturity and immediately whole-cluster pressed to stainless steel tanks for fermentation and aging.

Tasting Notes
Braeburn apple and sweet pea flavors dominate the nose of the 2007 Skyline Chardonnay. More apple and pear flavors highlight the mouth, while a blast of laser-like acidity drives home the surprisingly long finish. The flavors are clean, the texture is fine and the personality is lively. Its litheness and fresh apple make this quaffable wine the perfect aperitif or accompaniment to grilled seafood.

TECHNICAL DATA:

Appellation
Monterey

WINEMAKER
Michael Martella

VINEYARD
Scheid Vineyard

COMPOSITION: 100% Chardonnay

Finished alcohol: 13.9% ABV
Acid/pH: .68/3.38
Total production: 1000 cases
Release date: June 15, 2008
California suggested retail: $15.50