Durell Vineyard Wente Clone Chardonnay
⏳ wine.drinking_window
Typically best enjoyed 3–10 years from the vintage release.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
roasted chicken, pan-seared scallops, creamy mushroom risotto
✨ wine.spec_sheet
Sourced from the legendary Durell Vineyard, which straddles the Sonoma Valley, Carneros, and Sonoma Coast appellations, this Chardonnay is a masterclass in terroir-driven winemaking. First planted in the late 1970s by Ed Durell, the vineyard is celebrated for its rocky, clay-loam soils and cool, wind-swept climate. TOR Kenward focuses on the historic Old Wente clone here, famous for its 'chicks and hens' berry structure—a natural phenomenon where tiny, seedless berries mingle with larger ones, resulting in exceptional concentration, skin-to-juice ratio, and vibrant acidity. Winemaker Jeff Ames employs traditional Burgundian techniques, including native yeast fermentation in French oak barrels and regular battonage, to craft a Chardonnay of remarkable texture, depth, and mineral tension.
🍾 wine.about_producer
Founded in 2001 by Napa Valley veteran Tor Kenward and his wife Susan, TOR Kenward Family Wines is a boutique estate dedicated to crafting small-lot, single-vineyard wines that express the singular terroirs of Napa Valley. Drawing on Kenward's nearly three decades of experience at Beringer, the winery sources fruit from legendary sites, most notably the historic Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard in Oakville. The winemaking philosophy, guided by winemaker Jeff Ames, emphasizes minimal intervention, utilizing native yeast fermentations, and bottling without fining or filtration. TOR is highly celebrated for its powerful, complex Cabernet Sauvignons and expressive Syrahs that showcase the pinnacle of California winemaking. Address: 1507 Main St, St Helena, CA 94574, USA Website: https://torwines.com