Birichino Jurassic Park Vineyard Chenin Blanc 2022

Birichino Jurassic Park Vineyard Chenin Blanc is a dry Chenin Blanc from own-rooted vines planted in the late 1970s in the Santa Ynez Valley.

The parcel came out of a lunch in West Hollywood, where Angela Osborne of Tribute to Grace mentioned an old Chenin block near her house at Los Alamos; by the end of the meal Locke and Krause had bought the fruit and arranged to collect it the next day. It remains the furthest site they work, four hours south of the Santa Cruz winery, sitting at 335 metres on quartz, with beach sand across the crest and limestone chunks scattered through the rows. Everything is picked in one pass, riper and less-ripe berries together, which is where the tension comes from. Wild ferment in stainless steel, then ageing split between steel barrels and neutral French wood.

The 2022 came out on the mineral, savoury side: oyster shell, lemon pith and a saline lick, with just enough orchard fruit for weight. Serve cold, around 10 degrees. Oysters, grilled whiting, or a whole fish with fennel.

*Every effort is made to ensure the current vintage is accurate; however, variations can occur. If you are after a specific vintage, please contact us prior to ordering.