2022 Chardonnay, White Salmon Vineyard

White Salmon Vineyard is located at 550’ on the eastern slope of Underwood Mountain, which is on the Washington side of the Columbia River in the Columbia Gorge American Viticultural Area. The vines average twenty years old and are planted on their own roots in volcanic clay loam. The rural nature of the vineyard requires serious deer fences to keep the deer and elk from decimating the vines and the fruit. However, in 2022, a family of black bears were able to breach the fencing. Fortunately, after a snack, they did leave some fruit to harvest!

We have been working with White Salmon Vineyard since the 2018 vintage. Historically, these barrels have been blended with other vineyard sources to make our Washington State Chardonnay. The vintage of 2021 took a new direction consisting 100% of White Salmon Vineyard, though it wasn’t labeled as such. With this vintage, it’s official!

To make our Chardonnay, the fruit is whole-cluster pressed in separate lots, left to settle overnight, and then put down to barrel in all French oak, of which just 20 percent is new. We inoculate each barrel with yeast, utilizing several traditional Burgundian strains. Malolactic fermentation follows, but it isn’t allowed to completely finish. This gives just a hint of creaminess that results from this secondary fermentation, while still preserving the delicate fruit and floral qualities on the nose.

Of our two Chardonnays, this wine will be the one with a hint more richness. Floral notes of honeysuckle and pear blossoms blend in to juicy tropical fruit. The mouth feel has medium weight with mouth-watering acidity to balance. Creamy vanilla, just a hint of lemon zest, and minerals complete the profile. John Abbott, Winemaker