History
Mark Aubert planted Powder House in 2013 as the fourth of his estate properties. The name comes from a neighbouring historic structure that once stored gunpowder. The first vintage was released from 2017.
The Site
Eight acres in the old town of Forestville, on a bowl-shaped property directly across from the high school, on Goldridge soil. The curve of the bowl means different sections of the planting take the sun at different points in the day, which is the site's defining feature.
Vines and Blocks
Chardonnay in two selections: the Hyde selection of Old Wente, which gives uneven clusters and creamy texture, and Mount Eden, a high-acid mountain selection that supplies the cut.
The Wines
Aubert is the sole bottler; there is no third-party designate from this site. The house style here runs to aromatics rather than the density of the Lauren or CIX bottlings.