Seco Highlands Jackson Estate Chardonnay
⏳ Drinking Window
2022 - 2026
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Pan-seared sea scallops, roasted chicken with herbs, creamy mushroom risotto
✨ Technical Specifications
The Jackson Estate Seco Highlands Chardonnay is a brilliant expression of Monterey County's cool-climate viticulture. Grown in the wind-swept Arroyo Seco AVA—Spanish for 'dry riverbed'—the vines struggle in stony, gravelly loam soils deposited over millennia by the Arroyo Seco River. This challenging terroir is defined by the 'Salinas Wind Duct,' which draws chilly air from the deep submarine canyon of Monterey Bay, slowing ripening and preserving natural acidity. Historically, this region was once considered too cold for premium viticulture, but pioneering efforts proved its potential for world-class Chardonnay. The wine is typically barrel-fermented and aged in French oak with regular lees stirring, seamlessly blending vibrant tropical fruit and citrus notes with a rich, creamy texture and a distinct mineral backbone born of the ancient river stones.
🍾 About the Producer
Founded in 1982 by visionary entrepreneur Jess Jackson, Kendall-Jackson emerged as a cornerstone of modern American winemaking with the debut of its iconic 1982 Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay. Headquartered in Santa Rosa within Sonoma County, the family-owned estate champions cool-climate, coastal vineyard sites across California's premier winegrowing regions. Guided by an uncompromising dedication to sustainable farming, artisanal small-batch fermentation, and tailored French and American oak aging, the winery captures rich complexity and approachable elegance. Beyond its world-famous Chardonnay, Kendall-Jackson produces highly acclaimed Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and terroir-expressive Grand Reserve collections that highlight the diversity of California's coastal terroir.
🍇 Grape Varieties
Chardonnay
🍷 Alcohol By Volume (ABV)
14.5%