The Set Wines Chardonnay
WHY WE LOVE IT
- The Set Chardonnay is an elegant, cool-climate white wine from Santa Barbara County’s Sta. Rita Hills.
- Crafted by a family-owned estate, this small-batch wine emphasizes vineyard purity and balanced, crisp acidity over heavy oak.
- Grown in sandy soils and aged in large oak barrels, it’s balanced, fresh but never sharp.
Varietal Composition: 100% Chardonnay
Elaboration: The fruit was harvested early to preserve acidity, then crushed and pressed. It fermented in 1,500-liter oak foudres for nine months, undergoing slow malolactic fermentation before being transferred to stainless steel for bottling.
Tasting Notes: With notes of green apple, citrus oil, and white flowers, and a generous texture on the palate.
PRESS
n/a
PRODUCER BACKGROUND
The Set is a boutique winery in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA of Santa Barbara County, California, founded by brothers Billy and Christopher Hines. Known for its cool-climate wines, the winery blends California’s vibrant fruit with Southern hospitality, rooted in Louisiana values.
Located near the Pacific Ocean, the vineyards benefit from cool breezes, morning fog, and warm sunshine, allowing grapes to thrive. The Set prioritizes organic and biodynamic practices, focusing on soil types, sun exposure, and vine orientation. Inspired by the Burgundian tradition, the estate creates wines that reflect both the heritage of the grapes and the unique character of the Sta. Rita Hills region.