Vintage 2024 marks our sixth year at Casa Seca, a vineyard perfectly positioned between Kistler and Dehlinger on Vine Hill Road. The site, a former apple farm, still bears the presence of its 1880s brick “dry house,” looming over the vines as a reminder of its history. The Chardonnay block, planted in the 1980s on rare 8x8’ spacing on AXR-1 rootstock, features three Wente clone derivations. Our focus has always been on the “Curtiss Clone,” prized for vibrant acidity—a quality beautifully expressed in 2024’s conditions. Eva Dehlinger continues to bring thoughtfulness to vineyard management, with a deep commitment to land stewardship and a measured, patient approach that resists trends or dogma. Her philosophy translates directly into the wines, which convey a sense of place and timelessness. The 2024 Casa Seca Chardonnay captures the essence of classic Russian River styles, evoking the elegance and clarity of pioneers such as Tom Dehlinger, Joe Rochioli Jr., Joseph Swan, and Burt Williams. In keeping with LIOCO’s interpretation, this vintage features slightly earlier harvest dates, naturally lower alcohol, and zero new oak, resulting in a wine of balance, brightness, and precision.