By Talbott Vineyards
Sleepy Hollow Chardonnay Santa Lucia Highlands

Background
The renowned Talbott Vineyards crafts estate-grown Chardonnay and Pinot Noir inspired by the traditions of Burgundy. With two estate vineyards located in Monterey County, Sleepy Hollow Vineyard and Diamond T Vineyard, Talbott offers a portfolio of exceptional wines to enjoy. For more than three decades, Talbott Vineyards wines have consistently garnered praise from wine critics and enthusiasts alike, including receiving a rare 100-point score in a Wine Spectator retrospective tasting for our 1990 Sleepy Hollow Chardonnay.

Vineyard
First planted in 1972 as one of the original vineyards in the renowned Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Sleepy Hollow stands as an icon of elegance and distinction, where its celebrated fruit showcases a true sense of place. Position, climate, slope, and aspect combine to create a naturally balanced vine that produces exceptional fruit and award-winning wines, earning Sleepy Hollow recognition as a California Grand Cru Vineyard. The vineyard is perched on an expansive benchland, tucked in the AVA's windiest, most northern stretch. Grapes bask in the early morning sunshine, then brace for cold afternoon winds that slow the maturation process. Its southeastern exposure is planted exclusively to Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, which flourish in consistently cool temperatures. Sleepy Hollow spans 500 acres of varied terrain over gently sloping hillsides.

Chardonnay Production
Across Sleepy Hollow, there are many distinct areas of soil, clonal differences, and vine age. The grapes are pressed in small lots to preserve the character of each unique vineyard area. Co-fermentation of different Chardonnay clones adds depth of fruit intensity and character. Aging may occur in either stainless steel tanks that help enhance the fruit flavors, oak barrels that help build texture and richer aromatics, or both. Our winemaking team chooses among those techniques depending on the vintage and the style of each of our Chardonnays.
[Information provided by Talbott Vineyards]
[Information is not vintage specific]

Wine: Talbott Vineyards Chardonnay Santa Lucia Highlands Sleepy Hollow 2023
Score/Rating: 93
Review Date: 05/29/2025
Reviewed By: Jim Gordon
Tasting Notes: This estate-grown wine offers luscious, concentrated fruit flavors on a full body laced with bright citrus acidity for good balance. Aromas of golden apples, pineapple slices and creme brulee lead to a rich texture, luxurious fruit flavors and pastry nuances. Drink now. Screw cap.

Wine: Talbott Vineyards 2023 Chardonnay Sleepy Hollow Vineyard
Score/Rating: 91
Suggested Drinking Window: 2025 - 2028
Review Date: 07/2025
Reviewed By: Billy Norris
Tasting Notes: The 2023 Chardonnay Sleepy Hollow Vineyard is another soft-textured white from Talbott, but it has the freshness to balance its ripe, creamy, spiced fruit. Tangerine, apricot, orange oil, cinnamon, chamomile and white flowers soothe the palate, soaking in with ease and pressing ahead with gentle forward motion. This is a fine choice for drinking over the next few years.