Terroir: 'Belle Côte' Estate Vineyard & Chardonnay
Established in 1990, Belle Côte was the first Chardonnay vineyard planted at the Knights Valley Ranch. A truly pioneering effort demonstrating that Chardonnay of distinction could be grown at the cooler elevations over 1600’.
The east and northeastern aspect of the slopes with a northwest to southeast vine row orientation are unique among the Peter Michael Chardonnay vineyards and contribute to a cooler microclimate that delays budbreak, slows ripening and often pushes harvest into early October--weeks after most Chardonnay is harvested in Sonoma and Napa counties.
“The aromatics created by this remarkable terroir are unique in the world of Chardonnay—orange blossom, lychee and rose oil. The old vines give a depth and breadth to Belle Côte that sets it apart.”
The three large vineyard blocks are further subdivided and harvested as thirteen parcels due to differences in slope, aspect and elevation with each contributing to another layer in the Belle Côte blend. The white and light gray soils originate from volcanic, Rhyolitic ash-flow tuff rock layers underlying the vineyard.
