Chalone Vineyard announced that its 3.79-acre block of Chenin Blanc, originally planted in 1919, has been accorded Historical Vineyard status by the Historical Vineyard Society. Widely regarded as the oldest vineyard in Monterey County, the site was first planted by original owner Lucius Charles Tamm when his family became homesteaders in Monterey’s Gavilan Range. Tamm was likely attracted by Chalone’s limestone soils, which bear a remarkable resemblance to those of France’s famed Burgundy region.
Each year, Chalone Vineyard bottles a limited number of cases from this historic plot. According to winemaker Robert Cook, “The wine showcases both the unique terroir of our site and the long history of Chalone Vineyard. The distinctive minerality that comes from the limestone soils, along with the wine’s racy natural acidity, contributes to the complexity and age-worthiness of this great Chenin Blanc.”
Chalone Vineyard earned international recognition in 1976 when its Chardonnay ranked third among the top French and American Chardonnays in the historic Judgment of Paris wine competition. Twenty months later Chalone finished first in the San Francisco Wine Tasting recreating the Paris competition.
The Historic Vineyard Society’s mission is to inform the wine-drinking public on the importance of heritage vineyards through education, research and special events. For more information please go to www.historicvineyardsociety.org.
Chalone Vineyard is one of the most remarkable winery properties in all of California. As the sole and founding winery in the Chalone appellation, the vineyard was first planted in 1919. Production under the Chalone Vineyard brand began in 1960. Dick Graff purchased the property in 1965, and the wines of 1969—one of the greatest vintages in Chalone Vineyard history—helped establish the estate as an iconic California winery. The property is unique for its remoteness; high elevation; cool, arid and windy climate and rugged beauty. The Chalone Vineyard Estate tier of wines includes Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and Pinot Blanc. Robert Cook has been winemaker since 2007. Diageo Chateau & Estate Wines purchased Chalone Vineyard in 2005. For more information please go to www.chalonevineyard.com.
