Clos de Ste. Anne is Millton Vineyard’s “Grand Cru” and is dedicated to Annie Millton, whose family farmed this land for five generations. The wines from this site reflect the unique terroir. This vineyard location makes it the first vineyard in the world to see the light of a new day

Clos de Ste. Anne was developed around the original Naboth’s Vineyard and Chardonnay comes from older plantings in the original vineyard. The site is on steep northeast facing slopes; soil is loam with volcanic ash and pumice over calcareous sedimentary rock. At 4,000 vines per hectare, this vineyard is dry farmed and weeded by hand.

The hand-harvested grapes were gently pressed into barriques and the young juice underwent natural fermentation with indigenous vineyard yeasts. Aging on the spent yeast lees for ten months adds sweet yeast and shortbread and fills the mouth with a toasty, nutty richness. A calcification of dryness is felt on the middle of the tongue with a minerality, for which this vineyard is now well recognized. Biodynamically we often talk about luminosity and this wine has a lovely brightness and smells like gold.

Exotic perfumes of acorns, vanilla and almonds welcome the finesse and delicacy combined with a full, rich palate. These rich, layered flavors give a chew and bite to the mouth. Complete with refreshing natural acidity. Very tactile.