Hudson Vineyard Chardonnay
⏳ Drinking Window
2023 - 2029
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Roasted chicken, seared scallops, creamy mushroom risotto
✨ Technical Specifications
The TOR Hudson Vineyard Chardonnay is a masterclass in Carneros terroir, sourced from the legendary estate of Lee Hudson. Nestled on the gentle, rolling hills of the Napa portion of the Carneros highway, this vineyard is cooled by maritime breezes from the San Pablo Bay, allowing for a long, slow growing season. Tor Kenward and winemaker Jeff Ames select specific blocks planted to heritage Wente clones, prized for producing small, concentrated berries with thick skins. The winemaking process respects the fruit's natural intensity, utilizing native yeast fermentation in French oak barrels, followed by regular lees stirring (battonage) to build a luscious, creamy texture. The result is a Chardonnay of remarkable depth, balancing rich tropical fruit and toasted brioche notes with a vibrant, saline minerality that is characteristic of the Hudson Vineyard's clay-loam soils.
🍾 About the Producer
Founded in 2001 by Napa Valley veteran Tor Kenward and his wife Susan, TOR Wines is an artisanal producer located in St. Helena, California. Drawing upon Kenward's nearly three decades of executive experience alongside legendary growers and winemakers at Beringer Vineyards, the estate is dedicated to crafting small-production, vineyard-designated wines from premier sites throughout Napa Valley. TOR focuses primarily on historic grand cru-caliber terroirs, most notably Beckstoffer To Kalon, Beckstoffer Dr. Crane, and Cimarossa Vineyard. Employing a minimalist, site-expressive winemaking philosophy, the winery is internationally celebrated for its powerful, cellar-worthy Cabernet Sauvignons, refined Chardonnays, and rare, expressive Syrahs.
🍇 Grape Varieties
Chardonnay
🍷 Alcohol By Volume (ABV)
14.1-14.6%