Creating a Flagship Chardonay
Ferrari-Carano


Situation

Ferrari-Carano’s marketing strategy called for a flagship Chardonnay with its own distinct style. In order to stave off challenges from several highly-anticipated new labels from competing wineries, development time available was less than a year.

Objective

Create a multi-layered, complex style of Chardonnay that was distinctive from its competitors.

Tactics

Previously not a practice in California winemaking, Bursick created variables based upon terroir characteristics and yeast flavor profiles, which allowed for distinct handling of different lots and greater creativity in the blending process. Barrels were obtained from Burgundian coopers who had never exported to the United States.

Result

One of the most successful Chardonnays ever created in California. Case growth from 0-150,000, allocated, with twenty years of 90+ point scores from the Wine Spectator.