Vineyard Owners: John and Phyllis Bazzano

Established in 1974, the Lorenzo vineyard has some of the oldest plantings of Chardonnay on AxR1 rootstock in California. Phyllis and John take great care tending to this venerable vineyard, named after John’s grandfather.

Situated in the middle of the Russian River Valley, this 10-acre site is planted entirely to the "Old Wente" clone of Chardonnay. The soils contain a high percentage of clay which expresses itself with a distinctive minerality---rain-washed gravel stones---in the wine. The location enjoys the cooling fog of the mornings and evenings during the growing season, which help retain the fruits natural acidity. While almost every vineyard in California planted to AxR1 rootstock during the 70’s and 80’s have been replanted due to phylloxera, Lorenzo has been allowed to reach a venerable maturity due to the fact that no one other than the Bazzano’s themselves have farmed this site in over 40 years.