Lioco Chardonnay Chalone Michaud 2009

WHAT IS LIOCO? LIOCO is the result of a years-long conversation between Matt Licklider (a seasoned wine import specialist) and Kevin O'Connor (wine director at Michelin Two-Star Spago-Beverly Hills) about whether California could produce a true "wine of origin." WHAT DOES THE WORD LIOCO MEAN? It is a fusion of our last names, Licklider and O'Connor. LI-cklider + OCO-nnor = LIOCO. WHAT IS LIOCO'S FOCUS? + Stainless-steel (un-oaked), naturally-fermented (all native yeast) Chardonnay from pedigreed growers. + Gently treated (low wood impact), naturally-fermented (all native yeast) Pinot Noir from pedigreed growers. + A distinctly Californian blend of "under-dog" varietals (including Old-Vine Carignan, Petite Sirah, Grenache and Mourvedre). WHAT IS LIOCO'S CORE BELIEF? Careful vineyard selection combined with a restrained winemaking approach will produce compelling wine. WHAT IS LIOCO'S PHILOSOPHY? + Great wine is grown, not made. + Maximize control of the creative process, "from bud to bottle." + Grace and balance before power. + Be dynamic and demystifying at every turn. + Over-deliver for the price point. WHAT IS LIOCO'S CREDO? "Building wine from the ground up." WHAT DISTINGUISHES LIOCO FROM OTHER WINERIES? + We produce a range of wines, from multiple grape varieties growing in several distinct appellations (Chardonnay in Sonoma; Pinot Noir in Chalone; Carignan in Mendocino). + Our unique production process. We buy fruit from independent growers throughout California and make the wine in a state-of-the-art cooperative in Santa Rosa. We do not own any vineyards, nor do we own a winery. All of our resources are directed toward the sourcing of grapes from the state's premier vineyards. Read less