2022 Sunflower Chardonnay

Hand-picked the second week of October 2022, just before the cooling Van Duzer winds picked up for the day, the Chardonnay fruit was gently pressed before going into six French oak barrels to slowly start its spontaneous fermentation. Our Sunflower Chardonnay comes from a very small allocation of 2 tons of Dijon clones from the beautiful Eola Amity Hills AVA. Each vintage working with this biodiverse site, we grow more excited and infatuated with the wines produced here. The cooler weather, vigorous coastal winds, and rich ancient seabed soils ensure a unique wine is made each year. The 2022 vintage balances texture, minerality, and brightness. The wine opens with ocean air, crushed oyster shells, and rocky, flinty minerals. The citrus comes in layers, succulent natural acidity breathing freshness into the wine. Texturally rich, the layered stone fruit profile sits in front of a light oak influence on the palate. 

168 cases | 13% alc. | Eola Amity Hills | LIVE certified | Native ferments | 12 months élevage | 20% New French Oak

2021 Sunflower Chardonnay

This Chardonnay was gently pressed before going into four French oak barrels to slowly start its spontaneous fermentation. Our Sunflower Chardonnay comes from a very small allocation of 1.5 tons of Dijon clones from the beautiful Left Coast Vineyards. In our eight vintage working with this biodiverse site, we grow more excited and infatuated with the wines produced here. The cooler weather, vigorous coastal winds, and rich ancient seabed soils ensure a unique wine is made each year. The 2021 vintage balances texture, minerality, and richness. The wine opens with ocean air and kumquat. The fruit comes in layers, succulent natural acidity breathing freshness into the wine. Texturally rich, the layered stone fruit profile sits in front of a light oak influence on the palate. 

123 cases | 12.9 % alc. | Left Coast Vineyard | Van Duzer Corridor | LIVE certified | Native ferments | 12 months élevage | 25% New French Oak

2022 Menefee Vineyards Chardonnay

This wine celebrates the unique beauty of Chardonnay from our family vineyard, Menefee Vineyards. We sampled fruit over and over, with little patience and too much excitement. Finally, the acidity of the fruit came into balance and we picked it on the 15th of October. Menefee is an exceptional site nestled in the foothills of the coastal range. Bordered by a mushroom farm, a Douglas fir tree line, and dotted with Mirabelle Plum trees and Cassis plantings, it's an ode to our family farm in the Loire Valley. In our third vintage working with Chardonnay from this site, we wanted to showcase the unique character of Menefee; a cool site that allows for longer hang time while retaining ever-important acidity. The higher elevation, coastal influence, and volcanic soils come together to create a wine of purity and elegance. This is a wine that brings a broader texture with minerality and brightness. The wine opens with lushness, jasmine flowers, orange blossom water, and a stony mineral note. The citrus blossoms, grapefruit zest, and lingering ginger notes keep the wine fresh and vibrant.

99 cases | 13 % alc. | Menefee Vineyards | Yamhill-Carlton | LIVE certified | Native ferments | 12 months élevage | Neutral French Oak

2021 Menefee Vineyards Chardonnay

Menefee is an exceptional site nestled in the foothills of the coastal range. Bordered by a mushroom farm, a Douglas fir tree line, and dotted with Mirabelle Plum trees and Cassis plantings, it's an ode to our family farm in the Loire Valley. Chardonnay from this site, highlights the unique character of Menefee; a cool site that allows for longer hang time while retaining ever-important acidity. The higher elevation, coastal influence, and volcanic soils come together to create a wine of purity and elegance. This is a wine that conveys the range of Oregon Chardonnay, with a leaner and taught profile. The 2021 opens with flint and ocean air. Kumquat, tarragon, nectar and white flowers slowly take over to create a complex yet refreshing wine. Texturally, this wine is bright and linear, with a mineral-driven mouthfeel showing lime zest, a touch of salinity, and tight, lean acidity.

144 cases made | 12.3 % alc. | Menefee Vineyards | Yamhill-Carlton | LIVE certified | Native ferments | 12 months élevage | Neutral French Oak