2021 Cobb Chardonnay H. Klopp Vineyard Sonoma Coast 750 ml

Ross Cobb is one of the greatest winemakers on the Sonoma Coast, and to get a sense of his status, just look at the wineries that have recruited him over the years: Burt Williams and Bob Cabral of Williams-Selyem nabbed him in 1998. Flowers hired him away in 2000, eventually making him head winemaker. Then David Hirsch called, asking to do the same, in 2009. 

Coastlands Vineyard (and later Cobb Wines) came to life through the hands of Ross and Stephen Cobb, alongside their folks David and Diane, who started out as home winemakers with a backyard vineyard in Mill Valley. They delved into viticulture classes at Santa Rosa Junior College by night, with David cultivating wine as a personal passion. The couple decided to go pro in 1989, relocating to Occidental. 

The source of this wine was planted by Ted Klopp, who started off in the 1980s by farming orchards of Asian pears. He transitioned to Pinot Noir in the 1990s, and now his vineyards are run day-do-day by his daughter Lauren. H. Klopp, their only vineyard dedicated to Chardonnay, is planted to four clones: Robert Young, Old Wente, Mt. Eden, and UCD4.

To secure the kind of spectacular Chardonnay he required, Ross worked out an agreement with Ted and Lauren whereby Ross could influence the clonal selection in exchange for a commitment to buy fruit. 

The site was planted just a decade ago, and the grapes are already showing gorgeous characteristics and an electric acidity, and the result is a spectacular Chardonnay. We’re lucky to have it, and I’m proud to share it with you.