Beresini Vineyard Torchiana Chardonnay
⏳ Drinking Window
2021 - 2026
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Pan-seared scallops, roasted chicken with tarragon, creamy mushroom risotto
✨ Technical Specifications
Hailing from the cool, wind-swept Carneros region of Napa Valley, the TOR Beresini Vineyard 'Torchiana' Chardonnay is a masterclass in single-vineyard expression. The vineyard itself is meticulously tended by Steve Beresini, a legendary local grower who has nurtured these vines for decades. Planted with a heritage selection of Chardonnay, the low-yielding vines produce small, intensely flavored berries. Tor Kenward named this cuvée 'Torchiana' as a tribute to his mother's family name, celebrating her artistic spirit. In the cellar, the winemaking team employs traditional Burgundian techniques: native yeast fermentation in French oak barrels, followed by regular lees stirring (bâtonnage) to build a luxurious, creamy texture. The resulting wine beautifully balances the natural richness of Napa fruit with the vibrant, citrus-driven acidity gifted by the chilly maritime breezes of San Pablo Bay.
🍾 About the Producer
Established in 2001 by Napa Valley veteran Tor Kenward and his wife Susan, TOR Kenward Family Wines represents the culmination of nearly five decades of immersion in California viticulture. Following a 27-year tenure shaping Beringer's private reserve programs, Kenward partnered with talented winemaker Jeff Ames to craft site-driven, artisanal single-vineyard expressions. The estate sources fruit exclusively from premier, sustainably farmed crus across Napa Valley and Carneros, including Beckstoffer To Kalon, Vine Hill Ranch, Dr. Crane, Hyde Vineyard, and Durell Vineyard. Winemaking is dictated by minimal intervention, featuring native-yeast primary and malolactic fermentations, parcel-specific French oak maturation, and bottling without fining or filtration. TOR's benchmark portfolio is anchored by cult Cabernet Sauvignons alongside sculpted, mineral-laced Chardonnays—notably the Durell Vineyard Cuvée Mimi, Torchiana Beresini Vineyard, and Hyde Vineyard bottlings—as well as the ultra-limited Bordeaux-blend cuvées Black Magic and Pure Magic.
🍇 Grapes
Chardonnay