{"product_id":"foxen-chenin-blanc-santa-barbara-county-california-2025","title":"Foxen Chenin Blanc, Santa Barbara Co., California 2025","description":"\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eBill Wathen and Dick Doré — the \"Foxen Boys\" — founded Foxen in 1985 on the historic Rancho Tinaquaic in northern Santa Barbara County, a 2,000-acre property that has been in Dick's family since his great-great-grandfather, English sea captain William Benjamin Foxen, purchased it as a Mexican land grant in 1837. Their approach has remained consistent since the first vintage: small-production, sustainably farmed, vineyard-focused wines made with minimal intervention. Foxen is one of Santa Barbara County's longest-standing champions of Chenin Blanc, drawing on the Ernesto Wickenden Vineyard — home to some of the oldest Chenin Blanc vines in California — as its anchor source for the variety.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWINEMAKER:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bill Wathen\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFARMING:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sustainable.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVARIETY:\u003c\/strong\u003e 100% Chenin Blanc\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTERROIR:\u003c\/strong\u003e Santa Barbara County, California. Sourced from two estate and contracted vineyards: Ernesto Wickenden (42%) and Mesa Verde (58%). Clone 01. Yield approximately 3.5 tons per acre.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVINIFICATION:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hand-harvested — Ernesto Wickenden on October 1, Mesa Verde on October 8. Fermented over 4 weeks in a combination of stainless steel tank and neutral 500L French oak puncheons using inoculated yeast (Allegro \u0026amp; ES181). 12.8% ABV; total acidity 6.5 g\/L; pH 3.18. 787 cases produced.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAGING:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5 months in neutral 500L French oak puncheons. Single racking in February 2026 to blend lots prior to bottling. Bottled March 23, 2026.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTASTING NOTES:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ripe d'Anjou pear, Golden Delicious apple, lychee, lemon blossom, and oyster shell on the nose. Medium-bodied with bright acidity.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFOOD PAIRINGS:\u003c\/strong\u003e Oysters, steamed clams, grilled sole, roast chicken, fresh chèvre, light vegetable dishes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Foxen","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43782861914178,"sku":"B3 - FoxenChenin","price":39.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0596\/1023\/4946\/files\/CB25SBCFB_FRONT_jpeg_HR.jpg?v=1780186012","url":"https:\/\/decantnapa.com\/products\/foxen-chenin-blanc-santa-barbara-county-california-2025","provider":"DECANT Napa Bottle Shop \u0026 Bar","version":"1.0","type":"link"}