SoCal's Premier Wine Growing Region Overdelivers

“The negociant arm of Sashi Moorman and Rajat Parr's collaboration, Sandhi continues to deliver purity, focus and precision seemingly on demand. In addition to sourcing from an enviable array of top-tier sites in Sta. Rita Hills, they have begun including sections of the Domaine de la Côte. The 2022 Sandhi Chardonnay overdelivers for a regional wine.

-Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

How many Angelenos are aware that our Southern California wine country has some of the chalkiest soils outside of Chablis sitting right here in our backyard?

Here at MIssion, we’re huge fans of the Santa Rita Hills Chardonnays because of their incredible combination of acidity, minerality, and fruit. Completely unlike the oaky and buttery Chardonnay wines from up north, the SoCal wines from this appellation are steely and precise, with laser-like precision that offers supreme refreshment and depth.

While the top-tier Chardonnays from the Santa Rita Hills generally clock in between $60 - $100 per bottle, the 2022 Sandhi clocks in at just $29.99 and offers much of the excitement we find in the pricier single vineyard expressions.

If you want to understand just how awesome these wines are before spending double or triple on a bottle, this is where you start. SoCal’s premier Chardonnays are on par with some of the best French Burgundies. The 2022 Sandhi is an introduction to a greater world from the most exciting wine region in the entire state; plus, the fruit is 100% from Domaine de la Côte, which sells for much, much more than $29.99.

95 POINTS: JAMES SUCKLING - A vivid, racy and well-balanced wine with great acidity and vibrant citrus, crisp pear and apple flavors on a silky texture. So light-bodied, elegant and linear in character.

92 POINTS: WINE SPECTATOR - Opens with a mouthwatering mix of Meyer lemon, pomelo, freshly grated ginger, Honeycrisp apple and green tea flavors. Hints of toasted herbs, sea salt and orange zest linger on the finish.

91 POINTS: ROBERT PARKER’S WINE ADVOCATE - Sourced from selections planted at Domaine de la Côte, the 2022 Chardonnay Sta. Rita Hills is more floral than saline on the nose, introducing a focused, laser-like palate whose precision overdelivers for a regional wine. It finishes with a lovely textural richness framed with an oceanic lift, making for a charming and accurate showing of the Sta. Rita Hills.

90 POINTS: VINOUS - The 2022 Chardonnay (Sta. Rita Hills) is a tense, nely-cut Chardonnay. Bright citrus peel, white flowers, chalk, mint and white pepper lend notable brilliance throughout. All of this fruit is from Domaine de la Côte.