Lady of the Sunshine White Wine SLO Coast 2024

On any given morning, the coastal hills of San Luis Obispo shimmer under a soft marine haze. This is the SLO Coast AVA, a place where vines dance with the breeze of the Pacific and soil speaks in mineral tones. Amid the golden light of this stretch of California, there exists a small, deeply intentional winery with a name as poetic as its philosophy: Lady of the Sunshine. For winemaker Gina Giugni, the name wasn’t just branding—it was a mission. To honor the rhythms of the earth, the gifts of the seasons, and the quiet power of sunlight. Every vintage tells a story, but none quite like the 2024 blend she called Chevey.

Chevey was born in a year unlike others—a growing season marked by balance. After several years of unpredictable climate patterns, 2024 emerged with a kind of poetic steadiness: foggy mornings rolled in on cue, afternoons warmed just enough to push ripeness without losing freshness, and the harvest came early and slow, allowing each varietal to mature in its own time. The 2024 Chevey is a blend of 60% Sauvignon Blanc and 40% Chardonnay, a composition that might raise eyebrows in a region known more for Pinot Noir and cool-climate Chardonnays. But Lady of the Sunshine has never followed convention. Gina believes in the energy of the vineyard above all—what the land gives, not what the market demands.

The Sauvignon Blanc was sourced from a biodynamically farmed vineyard tucked into the coastal range, its proximity to the ocean just a few miles away. The grapes were bright, humming with lime zest and grapefruit blossom, with a vein of salinity running through their core. The Chardonnay came from a block farther inland but still kissed by cool winds, delivering a softer, rounder profile—peach skin, chamomile, and almond cream. The two varietals were picked separately in early September and pressed gently into neutral barrels, where wild fermentation took its time. No additions, no interference. Just patience. Over the months, the wine found itself—a blend of high-toned citrus and creamy mid-palate, tension and comfort coexisting in a single sip. When Gina finally bottled Chevey in April 2025, she did so under a waxing moon. She always bottles by the lunar cycle—one more nod to the rhythms of the land. Best enjoyed amongst sea breezes on a sun-laced afternoon, this is the wine of our summer!