2021 Chardonnay
Willamette Valley AVA
Gold Medal - Great Northwest Invitational Wine Competition
91 Points & Best Buy - Wine Enthusiast
90 Points - Wine & Spirits Magazine
Tasting Note
You'll find delicate tropical notes of pineapple and guava mixed with pear, lemon curd, vanilla bean, lemongrass, and a long, seamless finish.
How we make our Chardonnay
Our Willamette Valley Chardonnay is sourced from three local vineyards, hand-picked, and then gently pressed. A portion of the wine is barrel fermented and aged in large French oak barrels for 9 months (35% new). The remaining is fermented in stainless steel tanks. Both portions go through full malo-lactic fermentation to help soften the acidity and provide an elegant texture.
The 2021 Vintage
The 2021 vintage was an exceptional year. The timing of weather events was key to our success in 2021. We experienced a bit of rainfall during bloom which helped to lower yields by producing some hens and chicks (variable-sized berries). Then a historic heat event happened during late June which brought worrisome temperatures at a time that luckily did not result in any damage to our grape crop. Growth resumed normally once temperatures cooled with average heat from July through September bringing even ripening to the plentiful small, loose clusters. For Pinot Noirs, expect intense color and flavors bursting out of the glass, while white wines and rosés are fruit-forward with great acidity and balance.