When Ed Filice looks across the JL Wood Ranch Vineyard, all he sees is chardonnay — 130 acres of nothing but. No pinot noir, no cabernet sauvignon, no sauvignon blanc. Just chardonnay.

A winery’s exclusive focus on one variety is unusual in California. Producers want different avenues to appeal to consumers, some of whom prefer a red wine over a white. Yet Filice is happy to focus on a grape he loves to craft a unique wine from this Arroyo Seco appellation known as Greenfield — arguably the most ideal location for chardonnay.

Fortunately, he has the support of Carol and Paul Morrison, who took over the family ranch in 1993. It was once planted in alfalfa, vegetables and corn. Carol’s father — JL Wood — had started planting two clones of chardonnay. The Morrisons, who fell in love with w

See Full Page