A Toast to Oregon Chardonnay on Chardonnay Day!

Chardonnay Day is a time to celebrate one of the world’s most beloved, and divisive, grapes. There are those who sing its praises and those who abide by the mantra: “ABC – Anything But Chardonnay.” But for me? I’m firmly in the pro-Chardonnay camp. When it is made well, Chardonnay can be one of the most expressive, elegant, and versatile wines in the world. It may be considered a “neutral” grape, but that neutrality is precisely what allows it to showcase where it’s grown and how it’s made. And one place where Chardonnay is shining is in Oregon.

A Toast to Oregon Chardonnay on Chardonnay Day!

Earlier this year, I attended the 14th annual Oregon Chardonnay Celebration — the largest gathering of Oregon Chardonnay producers under one roof. Sixty-one wineries poured their wines, making it a dream scenario for anyone who loves Chardonnay. Of course, I could only taste a fraction of what was available, but even that small window revealed a stunning range of styles and a consistently high level of quality. There was just so much good Chardonnay — vibrant, textured, and full of energy. It reminded me that when Chardonnay is done right, it’s not just good, it’s great.

I had the chance to speak with several winemakers about their love for Chardonnay:

A Toast to Oregon Chardonnay on Chardonnay Day!

John Grochau of GC Wines crafts Chardonnay with tension and restraint. His 2022 Vivid Vineyard bottling, grown in the Eola-Amity Hills, is fermented in concrete to preserve freshness and finesse. “I seek to make Chardonnay that has a focused palate…with fresh, citrusy fruit,” he shared.

A Toast to Oregon Chardonnay on Chardonnay Day!

At Granville Wine Co, Jackson Holstein presented his 2023 Koosah Vineyard Chardonnay, also from Eola-Amity. With notes of green apple, citrus blossom, and wet stone, it was a standout for its balance. “Chardonnay’s greatness lies in the perfect convergence of ideal site, vine management, seasonal variation…and astute malic acid management,” said Jackson.

A Toast to Oregon Chardonnay on Chardonnay Day!

Erin Nuccio of Haden Fig emphasized timing and observation as his guiding winemaking tools. His 2022 Juliette Chardonnay, from old vines in the Mahonia Vineyard, had mouthwatering acidity and a subtle, creamy texture, proof that great wine begins in the vineyard and finishes with patience.

A Toast to Oregon Chardonnay on Chardonnay Day!

Hamilton Russell Oregon, a Willamette Valley venture of the famed South African winery, brought Burgundian flair with their 2021 Maple Grove Chardonnay. Structured, mineral, and just the right amount of lean, it embodied what Olive Hamilton Russell called Chardonnay’s “chameleon-like nature.”

A Toast to Oregon Chardonnay on Chardonnay Day!

Michael Lundeen is bringing Chardonnay to the sparkling side with his 2021 Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut, aged four years before release. “I focus on structure and texture,” he said. “The vineyard gives the structure, and we shape the texture in the cellar.”

A Toast to Oregon Chardonnay on Chardonnay Day!

At Lytle-Barnett, Andrew Davis echoed the sentiment that Chardonnay is one of the most adaptable grapes. Their 2019 Blanc de Blancs was toasty, citrus-driven, and precise, a classic that leans into modern elegance.

A Toast to Oregon Chardonnay on Chardonnay Day!

Morgen Long, founded by Seth Morgen Long, is one of the few producers in Oregon focusing exclusively on Chardonnay. His 2022 X Omni Vineyard bottling is a tightrope of acidity and depth, with layers of lemon oil, crushed rock, and a whisper of hazelnut. His time in Meursault clearly informed the finesse in his work.

A Toast to Oregon Chardonnay on Chardonnay Day!

Nicolas Jay, a collaboration between Burgundy’s Jean-Nicolas Méo and music executive Jay Boberg, showed off their 2022 Affinités Chardonnay, a wine with both structure and generosity. It’s Chardonnay with gravity and lift.

A Toast to Oregon Chardonnay on Chardonnay Day!

At Résonance Wines, the Oregon project from Maison Louis Jadot, the 2022 Koosah Vineyard Chardonnay delivered electric energy. Grown at high elevation and fermented in concrete egg, it pulsed with citrus and mineral character.

A Toast to Oregon Chardonnay on Chardonnay Day!

Winderlea, pioneers in biodynamic farming in the Dundee Hills, offered a Chardonnay with tension and texture. The 2021 Legacy Chardonnay offered brioche and lemon zest notes and a clear sense of place.

A Toast to Oregon Chardonnay on Chardonnay Day!

Willakenzie Estate, led by Erik Kramer, poured their 2022 Willamette Valley Chardonnay, a wine driven by texture and focus. Lemongrass, citrus, and flinty minerality showed that Willakenzie is as serious about Chardonnay as it is about Pinot Noir.

A Toast to Chardonnay, and to Oregon

A Toast to Oregon Chardonnay on Chardonnay Day!

As I reflect on Chardonnay Day, I’m reminded not just of how much excellent Chardonnay exists in Oregon, but of how far the region has come in crafting its own unique voice with this grape. These wines aren’t imitations of Burgundy or California, they are distinctly Oregonian. They speak in high-toned acidity, layered texture, and clean, confident structure.

Chardonnay isn’t just surviving here. It’s thriving.

So here’s to Chardonnay, the grape that gets better the more you explore it. And here’s to Oregon, for proving again and again that Chardonnay deserves a seat at the head of the table.


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