Origin: Sonoma Coast, California
ABV: 12%
USNW Classification: Natural
Varietal & Type: Chardonnay
Vintage: 2023

Native yeast fermentation, traditional long, slow elevage in French oak just 25% new the rest neutral. Lean, fresh, round cool climate Chardonnay.

BEST ENJOYED CHILLED

About the Winemaker

Joseph Ryan

Ernest winemaker and Barton vineyard manager Joseph Ryan brings focus and finesse to the low-intervention method and style of Ernest wines. The long, cool growing season along the coast allows for wines of restraint with naturally bright acidity and engaging complexity. Joseph’s thoughtful approach during fermentation and aging allows for transparency of time and place of the vineyards.

Joseph always has had an understanding of the agrarian lifestyle. He grew up on a farm in Iowa. He knew about land stewardship before he learned algebra. With this experience came the awareness that great product begins with careful, conscious work in the soil. This is the foundation for Joe’s approach to vineyard management.

He carries this perspective into the winery, where he applies minimal intervention to his winemaking. Over the last decade he refined these techniques as assistant winegrower at Porter Creek, a family-run estate in the Russian River Valley. He also worked as director of grower relations for Flowers Winery. This experience on both sides of the bottle gives Joe the mentality of a European vigneron.

The road to wine was circuitous for Joseph. He went to a theater conservatory in New York and discovered wine while working in restaurants during that time. Looking back, Joseph credits a handful of sommeliers with opening his eyes to his true passion in life. 

Shipping Details

US Natural Wine ships once a week, every Wednesday. All orders should be placed by Tuesday at 10am in order to be picked up from our distributors and out on Wednesday's delivery truck