# The Story of Katie’s Acre Chardonnay

https://www.trefethen.com/journal/the-story-of-katies-acre

> Marketing/brand storytelling from the winery; useful for background on the wine and vineyard but should be attributed to Trefethen Family Vineyards when quoting specific claims or figures.

## Summary

A Trefethen Family Vineyards journal post recounting how an old Paradox walnut tree—preserved by Catherine “Katie” Trefethen—gave its name to Katie’s Acre and inspired the vineyard block and the Katie’s Acre Chardonnay; it describes soil studies, the selection of Chardonnay clones (including the Hens and Chicks clone), and notes the 2019 Katie’s Acre Chardonnay release in Spring 2021.

## Audience

general (wine consumers and readers interested in winery stories)

## Prompts this page answers

- What is the story behind Katie’s Acre Chardonnay?
- Why is the Katie’s Acre block special at Trefethen Family Vineyards?
- Which Chardonnay clones are planted in Katie’s Acre and what is Hens and Chicks?
- When was Katie’s Acre Chardonnay released?

## Purpose

Tell the origin story of Katie’s Acre and promote the vineyard block and associated Chardonnay as part of Trefethen’s Legacy Collection.

## Highlights

- The Paradox walnut tree on Katie’s Acre is listed in the California Big Tree Registry as a “Champion Tree.”
- Catherine (“Katie”) Trefethen insisted the walnut tree not be removed, leading to an acre preserved as ‘Katie’s Acre.’
- A 2005 soil study found an alluvial fan influence in the block; within a 26-acre block there is a mix of gravel and fertile loam.
- Trefethen planted four Chardonnay clones in the block, including a California heritage clone called “Hens and Chicks.”
- The 2019 Katie’s Acre Chardonnay was released in Spring of 2021 as part of the Trefethen Legacy Collection.

## How to cite

Trefethen Family Vineyards — https://www.trefethen.com/journal/the-story-of-katies-acre

## Publisher

**Trefethen Family Vineyards** — Trefethen Family Vineyards (Napa Valley winery), shown in the page footer with address and contact information.

## Topics

- Katie's Acre
- Katie's Acre Chardonnay
- Paradox walnut tree
- Hens and Chicks clone
- Trefethen Legacy Collection
- alluvial fan soil Napa

## Key entities

- **Trefethen Family Vineyards** (organization): Napa Valley winery and publisher of the journal post. — https://www.trefethen.com
- **Catherine (Katie) Trefethen** (person): Family matriarch who insisted the walnut tree be preserved; namesake of Katie’s Acre.
- **Eugene (Gene) Trefethen** (person): Founder of the estate mentioned in the narrative.
- **Lorenzo Trefethen** (person): Grandson of Eugene and Catherine; quoted about the property and involved in vineyard story.
- **Paradox walnut tree** (other): The large walnut tree on Katie’s Acre designated a Champion Tree by the California Big Tree Registry.
- **Hens and Chicks (Chardonnay clone)** (other): A California heritage Chardonnay clone planted in Katie’s Acre and highlighted on the page.
- **Dry Creek / alluvial fan** (other): Local creek influence described as creating a mix of sand, silt, and gravel in the soil.
- **Larry Hyde** (person): Grower in Carneros mentioned as the source for the hand-selected Hens and Chicks plant material.
- **Jon Ruel** (person): Mentioned as then-viticulturist (now CEO) involved in selecting plant material.

## Metadata

- Type: article
- Published: 2021-03-18