Eddie Wolowski, JJ Buckley, February 2012

Pale and lemon yellow, with aromas of apple, pear, citrus, and sweet spice. Minerality, good acidity, and a hint of oak accompany peach, sweet citrus, and brown sugar on the palate, leading to a clean, refreshing, and lingering finish.

88 points,

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, August 2012

The 2010 Chardonnay Estate Verna-s, from a site in Los Alamos, is a big, broad-shouldered wine layered with rich varietal fruit. Apricots, peaches and flowers resonate on the rich, creamy finish. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2015. -Antonio Galloni

91 points,

Stephen Tanzer's IWC, June 2012

Bright yellow-gold. Fresh pear and melon aromas are complemented by dried fig, iodine and jasmine. Tight and slow to open, offering juicy citrus and orchard fruit flavors and a touch of tarragon. Shows very good clarity on the finish, which features notes of bitter quinine and citrus pith. This wine benefits a lot from air and has the balance to reward patience; it is also an outstanding value. (JR)

88 points,

Wine Enthusiast, May 2012

New oak sticks out on this Chardonnay, with buttered toast and vanilla dominating the tropical fruit, orange and Meyer lemon flavors. It's finely constructed, with deft acidity and a stony minerality. Drink now-2013.

About Winery

In 1989, Melville Vineyards, a family owned and operated enterprise was founded in Sonoma County's Knights Valley, where Ron Melville grew high quality, much sought after Chardonnay, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. In 1996, Ron's desire to grow Pinot Noir and Chardonnay brought Melville Vineyards to Lompoc's Sta. Rita Hills, located in the western Santa Ynez Valley of Santa Barbara County, California.

The Sta. Rita Hills appellation is where Ron Melville and his sons Brent and Chad Melville decided to develop their estate  vineyards and winery. All fruit for wine production is not only exclusively farmed and sourced from Melville Vineyards, but is also produced by Melville Winery. Since then, they have also developed an interest in Rhone varietals, particularly Northern Rhone Syrah and Viognier. The Melville estate achieves quality through the integrity of its farming practice and its respect to the microclimate.

The Melvilles believe that a fine wine begins in the terroir or microclimate of a vineyard.