2023 Unoaked Chardonnay
Tasting Notes
Our 2023 Unoaked Chardonnay is a crisp, light-bodied wine featuring aromas of poached pear and honeydew melon, complemented by hints of freshly pressed apple juice and delicate floral notes. On the palate, it is lively and bright, showcasing flavors of honeysuckle, cantaloupe, and a hint of lemon zest. The finish reveals notes of stone fruit, supported by balanced acidity.
Vineyard Designation
100% Estate Grown
Vintage Notes
The 2023 vintage in Washington state is what we like to call "normal." A mild winter led to a chilly start to spring, but record-high temperatures in mid-April awakened the vines by the third week. With average spring temperatures, the vineyard saw healthy growth, which we carefully managed to achieve target crop sizes. June and July brought intense heat, one of the hottest stretches on record, leading to an early veraison by 2–3 weeks and rapid ripening. Overall, the 2023 vintage is truly exceptional. The whites feature bright tropical fruits with balanced, lively acidity, while the reds are robust yet elegant, with dark berry flavors and refined tannins. This vintage promises world-class wines that can be enjoyed young or cellared for years.
Winemaking Notes
This Chardonnay, crafted exclusively from estate-grown grapes, was harvested at peak maturity in early October. The grapes were gently pressed as whole clusters, and the juice was cold-settled for 72 hours before being transferred to stainless steel tanks. It was then inoculated with a specially selected yeast strain ideal for stainless steel Chardonnay. A cool, slow fermentation at temperatures in the 60s allowed the fruit’s vibrant character to take center stage. Following fermentation, we stirred the lees twice monthly over two months to enrich the wine’s texture and naturally soften its profile. To achieve our vision of a bright Chardonnay with balanced acidity, we opted to forgo malolactic fermentation. For an added layer of complexity, the wine completed its aging in concrete tanks for one additional month, which enhanced its mouthfeel and aromatic depth before final stabilization and bottling.
* Produced in a Vegan Manner (No animal byproducts used in the production of this wine)
Food Pairing
Classic Crab Cakes with Lemon Aioli
Garlic and Herb Grilled Shrimp Skewers
Goat Cheese and Arugula Salad with Pear and Candied Pecans
Melon and Prosciutto Salad with Mint and Citrus Drizzle
Linguine with Lemon-Garlic Olive Oil and Fresh Garden Herbs
- Varietal Composition: Chardonnay
- Appellation: Yakima Valley
- Aging / Barrel Program: 100% Stainless steel fermented and aged, plus 1 month of aging in concrete tank
- Cases Produced: 387
- Alcohol: 13.0%
- pH: 3.50
- Acidity: 6.2 g/L