Nid Tissé Bentrock Vineyard Chardonnay Sta. Rita Hills 2023

Marie-Laure Ammons was born in the Limousin region of France- she and her sister Marie-Cécile were so petite at the time of their birth that their mother hadn't realized she was pregnant with twins. So, as children, Maman encouraged her two growing girls to practice sports. Marie-Laure and her sister took up track and field, and both became acclaimed scholar-athletes specializing in the 400m relay. They loved the outdoors and being physically active, so they decided to study viticulture and winemaking at the Université de Bordeaux. After graduation, Marie-Laure did a bit of globetrotting and in 1998, took a harvest position at Stonestreet in Alexander Valley (Marie-Cécile works at Rémy-Martin crafting cognac). After stints at Domaine Lejeune in Burgundy and at Hartford Court in Sonoma, Marie-Laure joined the esteemed winemaking team at Atelier Melka. For 18 years, she helped craft the wines in his illustrious portfolio. She eventually met her husband, winemaker Frederick Ammons (RUDD Estate, Napa Valley Reserve), and they settled in Calistoga, where they're raising their two children. Marie-Laure is now focused full-time on Nid Tissé: French for "woven nest" - referring to the fact that their family was stitched together by blending the fabrics of France and America. 

Situated over 500 feet above sea level, the Bentrock Vineyard is comprised of long, rolling hills that are reminiscent of some of Burgundy's most prized vineyard sites. Though the altitude is high, the ridges are not steep. These high elevations allow for a long, cool ripening season, so the grapes can accumulate ample sugars while still retaining fresh acidity.