Early in his career as owner of SLO Down Wines, Brandon Allen had a terrible falling out with the formerly close college friend who started the company with him. Downtrodden, Allen recorded a new outgoing message on the company’s phone that said: “Hi, you’ve reached SLO Down Wines, the home of Sexual Chocolate and broken dreams.” Almost immediately, the owner of a small wine shop in LA who was calling for another delivery of Sexual Chocolate asked for a case of Broken Dreams, too. And so, a new wine was born! And the first case sold before it even existed!

In fact, as a fan of forward, juicy Chardonnay, Allen hoped to add one to his boutique lineup, and this was just the push he needed to get it done. The third release of this sadly named but joyfully delicious Chardonnay is dripping with ripe pear and apple flavors kept in check with just the right amount of acidity, mineral notes and a hint of oak. A fitting partner to roast chicken or fish, this full-bodied, fruity Chardonnay is also an ideal sipper on its own.

·    Winemaker Brandon Allen made his first barrel of wine as a freshman in college at San Luis Obispo, CA, and has dedicated himself to oenology ever since.

·    Broken Dreams is the only white wine released by SLO Down Wines. Immediately a hit, this 2017 is the wine’s third vintage, and the best one yet.

·    Chardonnay grapes were sourced from vineyards in Lodi and Sonoma, which means this value-packed Chardonnay must sport a generic California AVA.

·    The hotter than usual temperatures of the 2017 vintage made for early picking and reduced yields, but throughout California’s Central Valley and Sonoma vineyards quality of fruit was above average.