Frequently Asked Questions
Why Does the Mount Eden Chardonnay age for so long?
The synergy of the vine selection, soil, low yields, climate and minimalist handling of the wine in the cellar creates chardonnays that age eight to ten years consistently.
Who owns Martin Ray brand today?
Martin Ray started vineyards on our mountaintop in 1942. He was the proprietor for thirty years under the Martin Ray label. Martin Ray died in 1976 and after his death, his stepson Peter Martin Ray and partners went into business resurrecting the Martin Ray brand. They purchased grapes mainly from Napa and Sonoma until 1984. They sold the name Martin Ray to Courtney Benham in 1990 and since 2003 the current Martin Ray Winery has made its home in the Russian River Valley, California. There is no longer a connection to the historic Martin Ray brand of old and the current Martin Ray brand. Mount Eden Vineyards has been growing grapes and making wine on the former Martin Ray estate since 1972.