Salem Wine Co. Chardonnay

Evening Land

Predominantly sourced from the west-facing Block 9 at Seven Springs*, this gently sloped hillside is composed of iron-rich clay. Upon arrival at the winery the grapes are gently pressed into neutral 500L puncheons. The wine undergoes a native primary fermentation and completes a full malolactic conversion. After a year the wine is racked to tank where it naturally clarifies before bottling.

This wine shows a clean, bright nose that speaks to the lesser- known mineral and floral side of Chardonnay with Anjou pear, wet stone, Parmesan rind and white flowers. The palate, restrained in texture, follows, offering perk in its snappy clover and fresh, green fruit of honeydew and pear. Affable and focused, the wine’s light body, herbal qualities and modest acidity are a match for a wide range of foods.

*Seven Springs is the founding vineyard at Evening Land. Planted in 1980 by the MacDonald Family, they farmed and sold its magical fruit to the brightest names in Oregon winemaking for decades. In 2005, Evening Land Vineyards was founded when they contracted to lease this treasured vineyard from the MacDonald family outright. Dominique Lafon of Burgundy fame joined the team in 2007 and Sashi and Raj joined the team in 2014. Having historically produced some of the finest grapes in America, the Seven Springs Vineyard was selected as one of the top 10 vineyards in America by Food and Wine Magazine. The Pacific Ocean breeze, volcanic soil, varying exposure (but predominantly east-facing), and high elevation contribute to the natural preservation of the grapes’ acidity and enrich the wines with elegant flavors and minerality. The most prevalent soil type at Seven Springs is the iron-rich, volcanic soil known as Jory – it is well-drained, having formed from deposits of igneous rock – with just a thin layer of top soil right along the volcanic flow line. Since Evening Land began farming the property in 2007, the vineyard has been LIVE certified and fully converted to organic and biodynamic farming practices. The Salem Wine Co. Chardonnay is predominantly sourced from the west-facing Block 9 at Seven Springs. This gently sloped hillside is composed of iron-rich clay.