- White Still
- 75.0cl
- 13.0%
- Chardonnay
The Hilt Estate was founded in 2008 and is owned by Stan Kroenke, whose wine holdings include Screaming Eagle and Domaine Bonneau du Martray.
The estate is led by winemaker Matt Dees, who has overseen the project for many years, having previously declined the head winemaking role at Screaming Eagle. Located in the Santa Rita Hills AVA, the vineyards benefit from strong Pacific Ocean influence, with persistent winds and cool temperatures that preserve acidity and allow Chardonnay and Pinot Noir to ripen slowly and evenly. Under Dees’ direction, the wines have gained increasing precision and consistency year after year.
- ❖ ABV: 13.0%
Grapes
Chardonnay
Vintage report
The 2018 vintage in California will be remembered for smoke. Whilst the growing season started promisingly enough, with steady ripening through summer, the devastating fires that swept through wine country in late summer and autumn changed everything. The Camp Fire and other blazes didn't just threaten vineyards directly — they blanketed vast swathes of wine regions in smoke, leaving winemakers facing the spectre of smoke taint in their fruit. Many producers made the difficult decision to declassify or abandon portions of their harvest entirely.
What emerged from the chaos was a vintage of stark contrasts. The wines that made it through are genuinely thrilling — Cabernet Sauvignon shows particular intensity and focus, whilst Chardonnay from cooler sites retained lovely freshness despite the challenging conditions. Yields were dramatically reduced, which concentrated flavours in the surviving fruit. These are wines with backbone and staying power, though many producers' portfolios look decidedly thin for the year. The best 2018s are drinking beautifully now but have the structure to reward patience until 2030 and beyond.
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Our Sales Team
Speak to one of our teamStephanie Duncan
With 25+ years in the wine trade, Steph knows the UK market inside out, from premium wine and wholesale to hospitality and retail. A WSET Diploma holder and unapologetic Champagne fan, she loves building great relationships and finding exciting wines.
Jeremy Cowan
After managing his own stores and a further stint in independent retail, Jeremy has dedicated 12 years to trade sales in the North West.
Jen Neilan
Twenty years in hospitality later, after curating the wine list for Manchester’s first Neapolitan pizza restaurant, and running a natural wine bar, Jen made the move to the other side of the table.