Each week, I highlight a wine that truly captivates me—whether for its distinct character, fascinating story, or sheer pleasure in the glass. This week, the 2018 Enfield Wine Co. Chardonnay Rorick Vineyard takes the spotlight.
What sets this wine apart isn’t just its undeniable quality, but its unexpected origin. Grown in the rugged Sierra Foothills—far from the traditional Chardonnay regions—this wine defies expectations. Napa-based Enfield Wine Co. lets the vineyard shine, capturing the essence of its unique terroir in every sip. This Chardonnay invites you to explore California’s hidden gems, proving that extraordinary wines often come from unexpected places.
Enfield Wine Co.
I first discovered Enfield Wine Co. in 2018 at the inaugural Wine Writer’s Educational Tour (WWET), during a tasting that featured Napa Valley’s lesser-known sub-AVAs, including Wild Horse Canyon, Napa’s smallest and most elusive AVA. Among the offerings, the 2016 Heron Lake Vineyard Pinot Noir caught my attention with its purity and finesse. I was so impressed that I ordered several bottles soon after.
Founded by John Lockwood and Amy Seese, Enfield Wine Co. is a family project that focuses on crafting wines that reflect their sense of place. Their approach prioritizes terroir, working with small vineyards and independent growers, allowing natural fermentation to express the character of the soil and vines.John Lockwood began his winemaking journey in 2004 and launched Enfield Wine Co. as a full-time project in 2013, with a minimalist philosophy that allows the vineyards’ natural expression to take center stage. Prioritizing terroir,
This Article was originally published on ENOFYLZ Wine Blog
