Dec 30, 2022
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Liquid Farm
| Owner(s) | Jim Nelson, Nikki Nelson |
| Web site | www.liquidfarm.com |
| Link to this site |
Liquid Farm was founded by Jim and Nikki Nelson, who were fans of lower alcohol, earth and mineral driven Chardonnay from cool climates with little or no oak, typical of old world wines. To replicate those wines in California, they were drawn to Sta. Rita Hills in Santa Barbara County because of its unique, ancient soils, and the home of potentially great Chardonnay.
The name of the winery is related to the fact that wine is a product of the earth and the human touch: above ground/ below ground liquid from farming. The label depicts a dandelion, drawn by a UK artist, Val Littlewood, in keeping with the above ground/below ground theme.
Nikki has a Bachelor's degree in Wine and Viticulture from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and works for The Henry Wine Group. Jeff has worked in sales and marketing in Southern California for some of the top Champagne and Burgundy houses in France. They were married at Kessler-Haak Vineyard. Their consulting winemaker is Brandon Sparks-Gillis of Dragonette Cellars.
Four barrels of Chardonnay were produced in the inaugural 2009 vintage. The winemaking philosophy is to create a house style among the 3 Chardonnay bottlings they produce. The wines are modest in alcohol with preserved natural acidity, are not manipulated or acidified, subject to natural malolactic fermentation, and aged in neutral barrels.
Three Chardonnays are offered in 2012: "White Hill," "Golden Slope," and "Four," each with their own distinct profile.
Articles About Liquid Farm
Reviewed Wines
2016 Liquid Farm Vogelzang Vineyard Happy Canyon Santa Barbara County Rosé
11.5% alc., $22.50.
Mourvédre grapes.
·
Light apricot color in the glass. Slight reduction on the nose with aromas of slate, wild
strawberry, blood orange and white flowers. Clean, refreshing and smoothly textured, with flavors of apricot,
peach and blood orange, finishing with a juicy cut of acidity.
Score: 90.
Reviewed June 4, 2017
2012 Liquid Farm “White Hill” Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay
13.8% alc., 988
cases, $40. Sourced from Bent Rock (63%), Zotovich, Kessler-Haak, Rita’s
Crown, Huber, Radian and Clos Pepe vineyards. Aged 12 months in neutral oak
with 18% stainless steel aging.
·
Pale golden yellow color and clear in the glass.
Aromas of lemon, pineapple, peach, vanilla cream and ocean air. Highly
pleasurable on the palate, with crisp lemon-driven flavor accented with baking
spice, vanillin, and acid-driven minerality. Modest in weight with a fresh, citrusladen
finish.
Score: 91.
Reviewed April 19, 2014
ARTICLE »
2012 Liquid Farm White Hill Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay
13.8% alc.,
988 cases, $40. 63% Bentrock, 16% Zotovich, 8% Rita’s Crown, 6%
Huber, 4% Clos Pepe, 3% Radian, and 1% Kessler-Haak vineyards. A
homage to Chablis-styled Old World Chardonnay.
·
Moderately light
golden yellow color and clear in the glass. Aromas of white peach,
apple, citrus peel, nut oils and smoky oak. Slightly creamy, with an array
of flavors including lemon pie, apple, pear, toffee and fleur-de-sel. Less
boisterous than many California Chardonnays, but very pleasing, with a
good riff of underlying acidity, and a satisfying lemon drop finish.
Score: 92.
Reviewed March 16, 2015
ARTICLE »
2016 Liquid Farm Vogelzang Vineyard Happy Canyon Santa Barbara County Rosé
11.5% alc., $22.50. Mourvédre grapes. · Light apricot color in the glass. Slight reduction on the nose with aromas of slate, wild strawberry, blood orange and white flowers. Clean, refreshing and smoothly textured, with flavors of apricot, peach and blood orange, finishing with a juicy cut of acidity. Score: 90. Reviewed June 4, 2017
2012 Liquid Farm “White Hill” Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay
13.8% alc., 988 cases, $40. Sourced from Bent Rock (63%), Zotovich, Kessler-Haak, Rita’s Crown, Huber, Radian and Clos Pepe vineyards. Aged 12 months in neutral oak with 18% stainless steel aging. · Pale golden yellow color and clear in the glass. Aromas of lemon, pineapple, peach, vanilla cream and ocean air. Highly pleasurable on the palate, with crisp lemon-driven flavor accented with baking spice, vanillin, and acid-driven minerality. Modest in weight with a fresh, citrusladen finish. Score: 91. Reviewed April 19, 2014 ARTICLE »
2012 Liquid Farm White Hill Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay
13.8% alc., 988 cases, $40. 63% Bentrock, 16% Zotovich, 8% Rita’s Crown, 6% Huber, 4% Clos Pepe, 3% Radian, and 1% Kessler-Haak vineyards. A homage to Chablis-styled Old World Chardonnay. · Moderately light golden yellow color and clear in the glass. Aromas of white peach, apple, citrus peel, nut oils and smoky oak. Slightly creamy, with an array of flavors including lemon pie, apple, pear, toffee and fleur-de-sel. Less boisterous than many California Chardonnays, but very pleasing, with a good riff of underlying acidity, and a satisfying lemon drop finish. Score: 92. Reviewed March 16, 2015 ARTICLE »