Racines, Grand Reserve, Sparkling, NV

“Sourced from Wenzlau, La Rinconada, Sanford & Benedict and Bentrock, the NV Grand Reserve Sparkling (2020 Base) was disgorged in February of 2023 with a dosage of four grams per liter, after spending 2.5 years on its lees. The nose is effortlessly fragrant and refined, offering citrus peel, green orchard fruit, nougat and crushed stone aromas. The palate is elegantly chalky and succulent, exuding a refinement of mousse that is so difficult to find in domestic sparkling wines. It finishes with fine, chalky details and an ethereal lift, gracefully attaining its intended mission statement: a high-toned Sta. Rita Hills blanc de blancs made with Champenois intentionality and precision.”-94WA

Racines is a collaboration between two classic houses from France, led by vignerons Étienne de Montille and Brian Sieve of Burgundy and Rodolphe Péters of Champagne. The team came together to join their individual experiences in hand-crafting wines of purity and transparency to create a range of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the cool climate of the Sta. Rita Hills in California.

The project is the first venture for Étienne and Rodolphe beyond France and represents the coming together of all that is wonderful about Burgundy, Champagne and California.

These wines confirm something many have long suspected: that if you are looking to make terroir driven, elegant, balanced wines in the new world, then Sta. Rita Hills is the place.