2025 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 production techniques that we use for our Chardonnay are traditional to the Burgundy region of France: barrel fermentation, malo-lactic fermentation, and lees stirring. How those elements are managed is crucial to the final style of the wine. We barrel ferment in no more than twenty-five percent new French oak barrels. This allows the oak to contribute to the complexity of the wine rather than becoming the focus. We then employ the secondary, or malo-lactic (ML) fermentation. This converts the malic acid to lactic acid. The first being like a crisp green apple, the second, which is softer and more like the acid you find in cheese and yogurt. The bi-product of ML is a softer, creamier mouth feel. It is also where the buttery nose of Chardonnay will originate if not managed carefully. We prefer a partial ML so that, again, this process contributes to the complexity of the wine, rather than the buttery element becoming a focus. Limiting the ML will also preserve the delicate fruit and floral aromas in the wine. The other equally important factor to our style of Chardonnay, is very cool-climate fruit. Chardonnay will grow in warmer climates, but it won’t have the natural acidity that defines our style.

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 way experience in the rest of Eastern Washington. The vines average twenty years old and are planted in volcanic clay loam on their own roots, meaning they aren’t grafted onto root stock. The vineyard is also a field blend of Chardonnay clones.

This vintage of White Salmon Chardonnay is right in line with the Devona style. It has a pretty, bright and aromatic nose of white spring blossoms, fresh apple, and a hint of coconut shavings. The mouth is clean and fresh, complex and balanced, and the finish is mouth-coating and long.
John Abbott – Winemaker