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Article: Barrel Fermented Chardonnay

Wine Education

Barrel Fermented Chardonnay

Barrel fermented Chardonnay is one of the techniques we use at Hafner Vineyard, typical of Burgundian white wines. Unlike tank-fermented Chardonnay (traditional of California), which highlights bright fruit aromas like citrus, tropical fruit, and melon, barrel fermentation adds layers of complexity, creating a richer mouthfeel, creamy texture, and subtle oak notes from the barrels like vanilla, toast, and roasted nuts. Inspired by my time at Domaine des Comtes Lafon in Meursault, France, the barrel fermentation adds depth and elegance.

About half of our main Chardonnay is barrel fermented, while Reserve Chardonnay is 100% barrel fermented. Here I dive deeper into why we barrel ferment our Chardonnay and the impact it has on the wine:

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Raphael Hafner Intern
Life at Hafner

French Intern Raphael

Forty years ago, we began our internship program with an agricultural school in Toulouse, France. This year, we welcomed Raphaël Gleize to the winery and our home. He arrived in time for bottling a...

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Sarah Hafner Watercolors
Life at Hafner

Bird Watercolors

Sarah Hafner shares the inspiration behind her two new watercolors - a kestrel and quail. Originally painted for her granddaughter Marie's room, we shared those two illustrations on notepads that w...

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