Region: Santa Cruz Mountains, California, USA
Grapes: 100% Chardonnay
Body: Medium
Notes: Meyer lemon, green apple, salted white peach, subtle hazelnut, crushed limestone, and a whisper of smoke, with driving coastal acidity, a textured mid-palate, and a long, savory mineral finish
Pairing: Continuous charcuterie boards, seared scallops, roast chicken with herbs, grilled halibut, or aged Gruyère cheese
The Producer
Florez Wines is an independent natural wine project founded by native Californian Ricky Florez. Drawing on his experience working at top estates in Burgundy, Santa Cruz, and Paris, Ricky focuses on cool-climate coastal vineyards across Northern California and the Santa Cruz Mountains. He works exclusively with dry-farmed, organically managed sites that show distinct personality. In the cellar, Ricky favors a hands-off, non-interventionist approach: wild-yeast fermentations, zero additions, aging in neutral oak vessels, and bottling without fining or filtration to preserve the raw, electric energy of the fruit.
The Wine
"Peg Leg" is Ricky Florez’s chiseled, coastal expression of Chardonnay sourced from cool, high-altitude plots in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Planted on marine shale and limestone soils exposed to ocean breezes, the hand-harvested grapes are gently pressed whole-cluster directly into neutral French oak barrels for spontaneous fermentation with ambient yeasts. Aged on its fine lees without battonage or forced malolactic conversion, the 2023 vintage showcases vibrant acidity and saline minerality; it masterfully balances bright citrus and orchard fruit with a sleek, waxy texture and a bone-dry, savory finish.
Region: Santa Cruz Mountains, California, USA
Grapes: 100% Chardonnay
Body: Medium
Notes: Meyer lemon, green apple, salted white peach, subtle hazelnut, crushed limestone, and a whisper of smoke, with driving coastal acidity, a textured mid-palate, and a long, savory mineral finish
Pairing: Continuous charcuterie boards, seared scallops, roast chicken with herbs, grilled halibut, or aged Gruyère cheese
The Producer
Florez Wines is an independent natural wine project founded by native Californian Ricky Florez. Drawing on his experience working at top estates in Burgundy, Santa Cruz, and Paris, Ricky focuses on cool-climate coastal vineyards across Northern California and the Santa Cruz Mountains. He works exclusively with dry-farmed, organically managed sites that show distinct personality. In the cellar, Ricky favors a hands-off, non-interventionist approach: wild-yeast fermentations, zero additions, aging in neutral oak vessels, and bottling without fining or filtration to preserve the raw, electric energy of the fruit.
The Wine
"Peg Leg" is Ricky Florez’s chiseled, coastal expression of Chardonnay sourced from cool, high-altitude plots in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Planted on marine shale and limestone soils exposed to ocean breezes, the hand-harvested grapes are gently pressed whole-cluster directly into neutral French oak barrels for spontaneous fermentation with ambient yeasts. Aged on its fine lees without battonage or forced malolactic conversion, the 2023 vintage showcases vibrant acidity and saline minerality; it masterfully balances bright citrus and orchard fruit with a sleek, waxy texture and a bone-dry, savory finish.
What is natural wine?
Natural wine is wine made with minimal intervention from the winemaker, using organically or biodynamically grown grapes and without the addition of chemicals or additives such as sulfites. The result is a wine that is unique, expressive, and often has a more complex and nuanced flavor profile than conventional wines. Natural wine is also often associated with sustainable and ethical farming practices, making it a popular choice for those interested in environmentally friendly and socially responsible products.