We take the grapes from the vineyard via gondolas for immediate pressing using our Europress bladder press that allows adjustable amounts of pressure for optimum juice quality. The juice is then pumped into tank for 36 to 48 hours of settling and then the clear juice is racked for fermentation. Gold Stripe Chardonnay is barrel aged for ten months in 100% French Oak for extra richness and flavor.

The name "Gold Stripe" came about in the early 1980's. After winning many Gold medals on Doug's Chardonnay which was simply labeled Ventana Chardonnay, he began to place a gold banner in the upper left hand corner of the label to let customers know that the wine had received a Gold medal. Everyone kept asking wine shops for the Chardonnay with the gold stripe in the corner. It became "Gold Stripe" Chardonnay ever since! The Ventana Vineyard has received Gold medals for 25 Consecutive Years on its Chardonnay grapes. To our knowledge, no other vineyard in the World can meet this record.

Our 2002 Ventana “Gold Stripe” Chardonnay has beautiful fruit that retains concentrated flavors of tangy apple, Asian pear, lemon and a tinge of mineral that comes from the Ventana soil composition of mainly rock and gravel. We let those fruit flavors be the fundamental theme of the wine and highlight it with the finest French Oak, which adds vanilla and light honey tones. “Gold Stripe” is well balanced with good body and a medium-long finish. Because the wine is excellently balanced, it is a great style of Chardonnay to accompany meals.