The newly released 2018 Chardonnay is Matt Courtney's sixth vintage of Ferren and comes from Lancel Creek Vineyard, a two-acre site that is just above the tiny hamlet of Occidental on the remote Sonoma Coast. This secluded Grand Cru vineyard was prepared and planted by Ulises Valdez and is still tended by his family. The pale, off-white Goldridge soil provides just enough nutrients and moisture for these densely planted vines to ripen a small amount of intensely aromatic and flavorful Chardonnay. The vineyard faces the Pacific Ocean, a mere five miles to the west. The combined influence of the cold Pacific and the warming afternoon sun produces a wine of incredible richness and sublime balance. Matt Courtney is a perfectionist when it comes to making Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. After eight years most recently making wine at Marcassin, Matt now concentrates his efforts on Ferren and Arista, another great Pinot and Chard house on Westside Road in Russian River Valley. 164 cases were produced.