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Peay Maritima Chardonnay 2023
Peay Vineyards is a family owned estate founded in 1996 by brothers Nick and Andy Peay on California’s remote West Sonoma Coast. They planted their first vineyards in 1998, and winemaker Vanessa Wong, Nick’s wife, joined the project in 2001 after working at Peter Michael Winery and several estates in France. Today, Nick manages the vineyards, Vanessa oversees winemaking and Andy handles the business and sales. Their 53 acre estate vineyard lies just four miles from the Pacific Ocean, where persistent fog and cool coastal winds create ideal conditions for producing elegant, aromatic wines with naturally high acidity.
The estate is certified organic, with an emphasis on soil health, biodiversity and preserving the surrounding coastal ecosystem. Rather than tilling, the family maintains natural ground cover to encourage beneficial microorganisms and minimize erosion. The vineyard occupies an ancient seabed composed of silty, sandy loam with underlying marine sediments, where scallop and nautilus fossils have been discovered. Seven acres are devoted to chardonnay, planted with several clonal selections, including Old Wente, Robert Young and Dijon clones. The cool maritime climate allows the grapes to ripen slowly while retaining bright acidity and developing complex aromas.
The 2023 Maritima is made entirely from chardonnay, selected from the estate’s coastal vineyard blocks. Formerly known simply as Estate Chardonnay, the cuvée was renamed Maritima beginning with the 2022 vintage to emphasize its maritime origins. Fermentation takes place in French oak barrels using indigenous yeasts, followed by full malolactic fermentation. The wine undergoes élevage on its lees for 11 months in French oak barrels, approximately 25% of which are new, with the remainder previously used. This approach contributes a silky texture and subtle complexity without overwhelming the wine’s natural freshness. The finished wine is bottled unfined and unfiltered.
The 2023 vintage opens with aromas of citrus blossom, lemon zest, fresh mint and basil, accompanied by subtle notes of wet stone and toasted nuts. On the palate, it combines a silky, medium to light bodied texture with vibrant acidity, citrus oil and delicate herbal notes. The finish is long and precise, with a distinctive saline character reminiscent of sea spray and oyster shell.
