2023 Chardonnay, White Salmon Vineyard

White Salmon Vineyard is located at 550 feet in elevation on the eastern slope of Underwood Mountain, which is located in the Columbia Gorge American Viticultural Area (AVA). This AVA is the western-most AVA east of the Cascade Mountains and it is located on the Columbia River. The river’s large body of water, combined with both the weather patterns and elevation, result in much cooler temperatures than we experience in the rest of Eastern Washington.

The vines at White Salmon Vineyard average twenty years old and are planted in volcanic clay loam on their own roots, meaning they aren’t grafted onto root stock. Generally, we pick White Salmon first and it is close to finishing barrel fermentation by the time we pick the Rainmaker Chardonnay located further up the mountain at more than 1,000 feet in elevation.

Our Chardonnay production techniques are tried and true, allowing us to accomplish the style that we are known for and that we ourselves enjoy. In a nutshell, we barrel ferment in 100% French oak, only 25% of which are new barrels; we utilize multiple strains of yeast; and we put the wine through only a partial malo-lactic (ML) fermentation. The result is a Chardonnay that is bright, complex, and balanced. The low percentage of new wood means the wood contribution is integrated and more like a spice. The partial ML and the strain we use means that the delicate aromas are not sacrificed for that rich character of butter, but the acidity on the palate has a creaminess to it.

Of our two Chardonnays, this is the one with a hint more richness. Aromas of white peach and perfectly ripe pear combine with exotic kiwi and star fruit. Creamy vanilla and the tiniest hint of almond round out the characters. A minerality that reminds me of dry clay, as when you are kicking at dry earth, provides added dimension. The mouth-feel has medium weight, and the acidity is lush and mouth-watering. John Abbott – Winemaker