PROFILE
This old-vine Chardonnay hails from the “Old Wente” block, planted in 1981
on a south facing plateau just above the Yakima River. The chalky, stony soil,
drains well and warms easily, producing a full-bodied, layered wine, of great
balance and complexity. A nod to French tradition, we aged this Chardonnay
for 17 months in 50% new French oak, and 50% 1-year oak from Burgundian
coopers.
FRENCH CREEK VINEYARD
LOCATION: 10 miles west of Red Mountain in the Yakima Valley AVA.
TERROIR: The South-facing lower elevation, combined with a consistent
westerly wind through the Yakima Valley, cools the vines in the evening,
allowing the fruit to maintain natural freshness and acidity. The soil is
mostly silt loam with occasional spots of clay, caliche, basalt, and river
rock. Older vines like these, have deep roots and self regulate which
provides consistency year after year and deeper, more complex flavors.
With such excellent drainage, the warm Eastern Washington summer
sun, and light annual rainfall (6”- 8”), this is one of our earliest ripening
sites and we harvest to retain freshness, lively flavors and acidity to
complement the power and richness imparted by old vines.
MANAGEMENT: One of Washington’s oldest Chardonnay vineyards. Planted
in 1981 by Shad Hope and managed by Damon LaLonde, this vineyard
continues to be a highly sought-after Chardonnay site. Great care is taken
to be sustainable and environmentally friendly. They use specific and well
thought out pruning/thinning techniques, as well as, in-row vegetation
to their advantage, allowing the vineyard to be herbicide-free during the
growing season.
