Broc Cellars Chenin Blanc Pet Nat 2018

Broc Cellars sources this 100% Chenin Blanc from Shell Creek Vineyard, located 20 miles east of the town of Paso Robles in the Highlands District. The vineyard was planted in 1972 by the Sinton family, who have farmed the 120-acre property without pesticides, herbicides, or synthetic fertilizers since the late 1800s. The soils are sandy on top with a subsoil of calcareous fossilized marine limestone, a profile that runs through the creekbed the vineyard takes its name from.

The pet nat method means fermentation starts in tank and finishes in bottle, trapping carbon dioxide as natural bubbles. At Broc, the grapes are given brief skin contact before being pressed directly into stainless steel, where native yeast fermentation begins. The wine is transferred to pressurized tanks while still slightly sweet, then hand-bottled with no disgorging and no dosage. Light sulfur is added at bottling only.

At 11% ABV, this is a low-pressure, lightly sparkling white that drinks dry. Expect citrus and orchard fruit on the nose with a mineral thread that reflects the fossil-rich limestone underneath Shell Creek's sandy soils. The finish is clean and brisk, with the refreshing snap typical of Chenin Blanc grown at elevation.