Exploring 2022 Moth to Flame Chardonnay
Hawks Hill Ranch Featured Wine Selection
Each year, Hawks Hill Ranch releases one wine that stops our club members, critics, and coastal Chardonnay lovers in their tracks. This July, we’re thrilled to feature our 2022 “Moth to Flame” Chardonnay—a wine that embodies the relentless pursuit of perfection and the unique terroir of San Luis Obispo County.
Crafted from a singular vineyard just a quarter-mile from the Pacific Ocean in San Simeon, this vintage bridges California’s expressive fruit with the restraint and mineral precision of Old World Burgundy. Priced at $65, this 100% Chardonnay is a testament to our commitment to quality, community, and innovation.
A Quest for Burgundian Brilliance
The “Moth to Flame” Chardonnay is more than a wine; it’s a passion project born from owner Kuyper’s lifelong admiration for the bright minerality and precision of Burgundy’s iconic Montrachet. Dissatisfied with the often heavy-handed style of commercial California Chardonnays, Kuyper partnered with acclaimed winemaker Anthony Yount to source fruit from a pristine vineyard in San Simeon,
just a quarter-mile from the Pacific Ocean. This coastal site, cradled in a frost-protected bowl and kissed by relentless marine breezes, provides the ideal conditions for crafting a Chardonnay with razor-sharp acidity and a distinctive mineral backbone.
The 2022 vintage, released in Fall 2024, marks the winery’s continued refinement of this vision. Each year, we fine-tune our picking times and barrel program to better express the vineyard’s unique character and finest varietals. The result is a wine that dances between richness and restraint, offering a medium-bodied profile that’s as vibrant as it is complex. Hawks Hill Ranch Featured Wine Selections
Winemaking Approach
Yount’s approach is minimalist, but not passive. Grapes are harvested early in the morning, hand-sorted, and gently pressed.
Fermentation occurs in neutral French oak, preserving freshness while offering subtle texture. No bâtonnage. No aggressive new oak. Just time, temperature control, and a laser focus on preserving acidity and minerality.
The wine spent 11 months on lees before bottling, developing mid-palate depth without sacrificing lift. The result is a Chardonnay with nervy energy, fine texture, and age-worthy structure.
2022 Moth to Flame Chardonnay: Tasting Notes and Acclaim
The 2022 “Moth to Flame” Chardonnay has garnered high praise from critics, cementing its place as a standout in California’s wine scene:
Jeb Dunnuck (94 points, August 15, 2024): “Honeyed citrus, white flowers, tart pineapple, and minty notes are just some of the nuances in the 2022 Chardonnay Moth to Flame, a beautifully textured, medium-bodied, crisp, vibrant Chardonnay that does everything right. I love it today, yet it will evolve at least through 2030.”
Eric Guido, Vinous (93 points): “The 2022 Moth to Flame wafts up with a rich blend of crushed hazelnuts and dried flowers that complement sliced apricot. Built on minerality, it is nearly savory in style, with crisp orchard fruit and mineral tones swirling throughout. More Old World in character, the 2022 leaves a salty sensation and citrus tinge that puckers the cheeks.” (Drinking window: 2025–2029)
Tasting Notes
Aroma:
Bright lemon pith, saline breeze, white flowers
Hints of crushed hazelnut and dried chamomile
Palate:
Medium-bodied with sleek, mouthwatering acidity
Layers of wet granite, tart pineapple, orchard pear
A lingering citrus-and-sea finish that puckers the cheeks and cleanses the palate
This isn’t a Chardonnay that relies on butter or toast. This is a Chardonnay that bridges California’s bold fruit with the finesse of Burgundy’s finest. It’s structured by minerality, informed by place, and dialed in with purpose.
About This Featured Wine
Producer: Hawks Hill Ranch Winery
Location: USA, California, Central Coast, San Luis Obispo County
Color: White
Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
Price: $65
Release Date: Fall 2024
Wine Ratings
2022 “Moth to Flame” Chardonnay
Rating: 94 points
Tasting Date: August 15, 2024
Maturity: 2024–2030
Reviewed By: Jeb Dunnuck
Source: USA, California: Central Coast’s 2022s
Review: Honeyed citrus, white flowers, tart pineapple, and minty notes are just some of the nuances in the 2022 Chardonnay Moth to Flame, a beautifully textured, medium-bodied, crisp, vibrant Chardonnay that does everything right. I love it today, yet it will evolve at least through 2030.
Rating: 93 points
Tasting Date: Unknown
Maturity: 2025–2029
Reviewed By: Eric Guido
Source: Vinous
Review: The 2022 Moth to Flame wafts up with a rich blend of crushed hazelnuts and dried flowers that complement sliced apricot. Built on minerality, it is nearly savory in style, with crisp orchard fruit and mineral tones swirling throughout. More Old World in character, the 2022 leaves a salty sensation and citrus tinge that puckers the cheeks.
How It Compares: California Meets Côte de Beaune
Where Sonoma Coast might show riper stone fruit, our offering speaks in mineral tones and linear tension.
“Among SLO Coast Chardonnays, “Moth to Flame” leans more Old World than New. Many coastal California Chardonnays trend toward a plush texture and creamy oak, but this wine channels a Chablis-like brightness and Puligny-style salinity.”
If you appreciate the balance of citrus and stone from top-tier Meursault or Saint-Aubin, this wine is your California counterpoint.
Pairing & Cellaring
Food Pairings:
Dungeness crab, oysters on the half shell
Burrata with lemon zest and sea salt
Roast chicken with preserved lemon and thyme
Drink Now or Cellar Through 2030
The 2022 vintage drinks beautifully now with decanting but has the acid spine and balance to evolve for 6+ years.
Wine Producer Notes
The 2022 “Moth to Flame” Chardonnay by Hawks Hill Ranch Winery of Paso Robles, crafted in the highly acclaimed Adelaida Wine District, reflects the quest of Hawks Hill Ranch to capture the bright minerality of Burgundy’s Montrachet.
Sourced from a coastal vineyard in San Simeon, just a quarter-mile from the Pacific Ocean, this wine benefits from a frost-protected microclimate and relentless marine chill. Bright lemon pith and saline minerality dominate the nose, with a well-rounded, medium-bodied palate balancing wet granite and citrus.
Winemaker Anthony Yount’s collaboration emphasizes razor-sharp acidity and restrained barrel aging, distinguishing it from commercial California Chardonnays. The winery continues to refine its picking time and barrel program to showcase the vineyard’s unique terroir.
Hawks Hill Ranch Vineyard: Eco-Friendly Cultivation & Harvesting Principles
At Hawks Hill Ranch, our commitment to a sustainable growing and harvesting philosophy is deeply rooted in the collaborative “rising tide” approach. This method not only supports local agriculture but also actively preserves the rich heritage of the Paso Robles region.
Sustainable Growing & Harvesting Philosophy
The fruits of this dedication are reflected in every meticulously tended vine, every bottle crafted with care, and every meaningful community partnership we cultivate, embodying our respect for both the land and the people who nurture it.
A Legacy of Community and Paso Robles Wine Crafting
At Hawks Hill Ranch, the art of winemaking extends beyond simply crafting outstanding bottles; it focuses on cultivating the land and supporting the community that upholds it.
The “Moth to Flame” Chardonnay reflects this ethos, blending innovation with respect for tradition. It’s a wine that tells the story of our land, our people, and our unrelenting drive to create something extraordinary.
Explore Hawks Hill Ranch Wines
While the 2022 “Moth to Flame” Chardonnay takes center stage this July, we invite you to discover our other exceptional wines:
2022 “Capitulation” Zinfandel: A plush, layered wine with ripe black cherry, mulberry, and exotic spice, framed by vibrant acidity and a savory finish.
2022 “Parity” Mourvèdre: Smooth and focused, with dark plum, juicy cherry, and fine tannins for a balanced, expressive profile.
2021 “Fat Finger” Bordeaux Blend: Bold and full-bodied, offering blackberry, cocoa, and spice with elegant structure.
2024 Rosé (100% Mourvèdre): A precise and elegant wine bursting with fresh strawberry, watermelon, and subtle minerality.
Join the HHR Featured Wine Club
Hawks Hill Ranch warmly invites you to uncork a carefully selected bottle of the 2022 “Moth to Flame” Chardonnay and immerse yourself in the exceptional excellence that the Adelaida District terroir so beautifully imparts. Whether you’re savoring its crisp minerality at a seaside picnic or pairing it with a fresh summer salad, this wine is a celebration of passion, place, and community.
Join our wine club or visit our tasting room to secure your bottle and explore the full Hawks Hill Ranch collection. Here’s to chasing the flame of excellence—together, we’ll make every sip unforgettable.
>For more details on pricing or to explore their offerings, visit the Hawks Hill Ranch Wine Store or contact us directly,
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