2022 Willamette Valley Chardonnay

An elegant, pure, fresh, and energetic expression of our vineyard. Flint and mineral on the front, it opens to flowers and white pepper with a hint of pears, green pineapple, and lemon-lime peel. The palate is juicy and bright, with a textural mid-palate and long finish.

  • VARIETAL: 100% Chardonnay
  • APPELATION: Willamette Valley
  • AGING: 100% French oak barrels, 13% new. Aged 10 months in barrels and 2 months in tank before bottling.​
  • FINAL ANALYSIS: TA: 8.0 g/L | pH: 3.3 | Alcohol: 13%​

Our 2022 Benton-Lane Chardonnay is a very fresh expression of the variety. Delicate notes of freshly cut white flowers and hints of spices mingle with white fruit, citrus peel, lemon pith, pears, and wet stones. On the palate, the wine is round and energetic with bright, refreshing acidity and minerality that enhance the flavors of green apples, juicy pear, green mango, and a touch of citrus. The wine is textured with a balanced and lingering finish. 

Our Chardonnay was hand-picked early in the morning and gently whole-cluster pressed. The juice was settled for 24 hours in tanks and then racked to French oak barrels with the desired turbidity to ferment at cold temperature for up to 30 days. Then it was left to age on lees for 10 months with battonage every two weeks, until reaching the perfect balance before bottling.

The winter of 2022 was relatively mild, followed by a heavy spring frost and sustained cold and   wet weather until June. Our Chardonnay comes from the highest side of the vineyard, so the heavy frost didn’t compromise the integrity or health of the vines. The vineyard saw nearly perfect conditions in July for fruit set, allowing a well-balanced canopy to emerge, with healthy and beautifully sized clusters. The high altitude and summer’s unusually warm temperatures and a long, dry ripening period in fall allowed us to leave the clusters hanging for a prolonged time. This produced a harvest with fresh flavors and balanced acidity.

Soft cheeses and fresh tomatoes from the farmer’s market, and a herb-infused chicken with roasted vegetables.

The hour has struck that you’re preparing for dinner and you want to warm the hearth with classic Oregon charm.

2023 Rosé of Pinot Noir

A beautiful light-colored Rosé which shows complex aromas of red fruit, white flowers, spices, and sweet summer herbs. The palate is textural and balanced with volume and bright acidity.

  • VARIETAL: 100% Pinot Noir
  • APPELATION: Willamette Valley
  • AGING: 6 months in neutral French oak barrels
  • FINAL ANALYSIS: TA: 6.9 | pH: 3.17 | Alcohol: 13.5%

This Rosé opens with freeze-dried raspberries, fresh cherries, and cool watermelon rind. It displays white floral and pink peppercorn aromas with pomegranate and fresh thyme notes. Lovely hints of apricot and grapefruit appear min-palate with bright and balanced acidity, subtle tension, and volume. This is a textural and complex wine with a long, lingering, and delicate finish.

The fruit for this Rosé was harvested from two different Dijon clones: 113 and 115. The 113 brings the elegance The fruit for this Rosé was harvested from two different Dijon clones: 113 and 115. The 113 brings the elegance and roundness to the wine; 115 clone adds the red fruit characteristics and backbone to the blend. The fruit was whole-cluster pressed to maintain freshness and a beautiful, light pink color. This wine was fermented and aged in neutral French oak barrels for 6 months to best capture the delicacy and nuance of the grapes.

The winter of 2023 was cold and long with over 2,800 chilling hours. This resulted in a late but even and energetic bud break in early May.  We experienced the highest Growing Degree Days accumulation ever recorded throughout May (321 GDD) that made up for the late start and led to an early bloom on June 6th.  After a warm and dry summer, we had a 2-week period of milder temperatures and cloudier skies that gave the flavors enough time catch up with sugars, producing concentrated and flavorful grapes. Harvest on commenced on September 11th.

A sun-filled patio and some salty snacks and small, savory bites.

The sun has fully warmed the day and you’re ready for aperitivo hour with good company.

DEAR OAK GROVE MEMBERS,
Spring is a magical time in the vineyards; witnessing the buds burst into vibrant green growth and seeing the tiny blossoms emerge as temperatures rise is truly a remarkable sight. It’s a time filled with anticipation and excitement for the journey ahead, as we tend to our vines with care, nurturing them through the season to produce exceptional fruit.

With the same excitement for the new season, we’re thrilled to announce the inaugural release of our 2022 Willamette Valley Chardonnay! The cool climate and diverse terroir from our estate truly cultivates the ideal conditions for growing exceptional and high-quality Chardonnay grapes. Our estate’s distinguishing combination of factors such as soil composition, elevation, sunlight exposure, and climate variations can greatly influence the flavor profile and characteristics of the grapes. This results in a Chardonnay that is elegant, expressive, and reflective of its unique surroundings. In addition to your new Chardonnay, you’ll also receive our 2023 Rosé of Pinot Noir in your Spring allocation. Rosé wines are synonymous with the season, known for their refreshing qualities and vibrant flavors. Our 2023 Rosé of Pinot Noir has bright acidity, texture, and an intriguing blend of fruity and herbaceous notes, suggesting a wine that is both refreshing and complex. 

Members of our Oak Grove Club are in for a treat with these new releases — we can imagine them being enjoyed on a sunny afternoon, perhaps on a patio or while picnicking amidst the blossoms of spring. Here’s to more sunshine!

GRETCHEN BOOCK
General Manager