Let's talk little, let's talk wine
Located in the northern part of the Eola-Amity Hills AVA, in the heart of Oregon's Willamette Valley, Cristom Vineyard benefits from the refreshing influence of marine winds blowing through the Van Duzer Corridor. The Chardonnay plots are planted on well-drained hillsides, mainly composed of volcanic soils and ancient marine deposits, offering a mosaic of terroirs. The moderate altitude and cool, ocean-influenced climate promote slow grape ripening, preserving the natural acidity and aromatic finesse that characterize this cuvée.
Sourced from vines located on the cool, breezy slopes of Eola-Amity Hills, this Chardonnay is hand-harvested, carefully sorted, then gently whole-cluster pressed. The must is then fermented in oak barrels, with a limited proportion of new wood to preserve the purity of the fruit and the natural tension of the terroir. Aging on fine lees, with measured bâtonnage, continues for several months in barrels before bottling, without seeking excessive extraction, to maintain balance, aromatic precision, and a silky texture.
This wine reveals notes of ripe citrus, green apple, and juicy pear, complemented by delicate floral touches and mineral nuances evoking wet stone. Spicy and subtly woody accents from aging add complexity and depth. The palate is precise and taut, with a chalky texture, vibrant yet balanced acidity, and a long, saline finish that elegantly prolongs the flavors.
Where are we traveling?
Willamette Valley
It is located in northwest Oregon, stretching nearly 240 kilometers from south of Portland to the foothills of the Calapooya Mountains, bordered by the Coast Range to the west and the Cascades to the east. The vineyards are mainly concentrated on the slopes and rolling hills bordering the valley, between 60 and 300 meters above sea level, in a lush green landscape of fir forests, hazelnut orchards, and small family farms. The viticultural history began in 1965, when David Lett, a young enology graduate from UC Davis, planted the first Pinot Noir vines in Dundee Hills, convinced that this corner of Oregon offered conditions similar to Burgundy — a gamble everyone at the time considered insane. Recognition came in 1979, during a blind tasting organized by Robert Drouhin in Paris, where Lett's 1975 Pinot Noir ranked among the best, prompting Drouhin himself to come and plant vines in the valley a few years later. The climate is cool and maritime, characterized by mild, rainy winters, dry and bright summers with long days, and cool nights that preserve natural acidity and slow ripening, ideal for Burgundian grape varieties. The soils are remarkably diverse, from the ancient volcanic clays of Dundee Hills to the basalts of Eola-Amity Hills and the marine sediments of McMinnville, each sub-appellation leaving its distinct mark. Willamette Valley has established itself as Burgundy's great rival for Pinot Noir, producing wines of striking elegance and complexity, with aromas of black cherry, damp earth, sweet spices, and undergrowth, accompanied by increasingly respected taut and mineral Chardonnays, and a handful of refreshing Pinot Gris and Rieslings that bear witness to a valley that has become in just sixty years one of the world's leading wine regions.
The little history of the country
UNITED STATES
In the United States, 90% of the wine produced comes from California. It was the influx of gold prospectors to California that revitalized the Californian wine industry in the mid-19th century, particularly in the Sonoma and Napa regions. At the beginning of the 20th century, there were 800 wineries. From 1919 to 1933, Prohibition decimated the vast majority of the Californian wine industry, so that by 1933, only 140 wineries remained. It wasn't until 1960 that the wine industry began to recover from Prohibition, and California was primarily known for producing fortified wines (in the style of Port). It was also in the 1960s that some of the most famous wineries were established (Mondavi, Heitz Wine Cellars, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, etc.). In 1976, a landmark event took place: the legendary tasting competition better known as the "Judgment of Paris." It pitted the greatest French wines against the new American upstarts. On May 24th, an unexpected result shook the wine world, as, to everyone's surprise, the United States emerged victorious. This competition, however, remains relatively unknown to the general public. Today, there is no doubt that the United States produces great wines. While California largely dominates the reputation of American wines with its excellent Zinfandels, the state of Oregon produces some of the best Pinot Noir in the world, and Washington State offers excellent Chardonnay, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon.