95pts Wine Advocate

The 2022 Chardonnay Lolita Ranch has slowly opening scents of red apple, Meyer lemon, vanilla panna cotta, beeswax and floral perfume. The medium-bodied palate has a silky texture, ripe, honeyed flavors foiled by vibrant acidity and a very long, energetic finish. 

94pts Jeb Dunnuck

A silver yellow hue, the 2022 Chardonnay Lolita Ranch opens to notes of lemon curd, poached apples, fresh flowers, and wet stone. The palate is elegant and pretty, with a more lemon sherbet feel, a silky texture, and fantastic freshness in this sunny vintage. 

92pts Wine Spectator

Honeyed notes of grilled peach, mango, melon and guava are generous and plump, with plenty of toast and spice accents. The creamy texture and fresh acidity leave an impression on the finish, with hints of marmalade and candied ginger. 

Winemaker Notes

The Lolita Ranch is located on Martinelli Road in Forestville. The property was part of the original Martinelli Homestead Ranch, belonging to Giuseppe and Luisa Martinelli who purchased the steep, forested land in the late 1800s. Later, their eldest son Fred sold the parcel to his neighbor, Lolita Young’s mother. Eventually Bob and Lolita Young inherited it, and ran a herd of cattle on the land for many years. Lee Martinelli Jr. and his wife Pamela acquired the property in 1999 from Bob Young after Lolita’s passing, returning it back to the Martinelli estate and to the family’s continuing century-long legacy of viticulture. Lee Jr. decided to name the ranch after Lolita, and planted the steep hillside in 2001 with four different grape varietals: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Zinfandel.