California Pinot Blanc
In California, Pinot Blanc is often made using the same techniques applied to Chardonnay. There are over 1,000 acres of the grape in Monterey County. These wines are often barrel fermented and aged on their less to give them more body.
All Pinot varietals have a tendency to reflect the place they are grown quite succinctly. The varietal can be made into styles reflecting the many AVAs of California.
Located in the eastern hills of Monterey County, Chalone Vineyard was one of the first California properties to cultivate this varietal at an international level. They make a standard and a reserve bottling. The reserve vineyard was planted in 1946 with cuttings from Burgundy.
Richard Graff planted the other Pinot Blanc vineyard in 1972. The younger vineyard may actually be Melon de Bourgogne; a common oversight in California at the time. Steele, Byron, and Arrowood are other California wineries that make Pinot Blanc.
