# Cristom Eola-Amity Hills Chardonnay (2023)

- **Producer:** Cristom Vineyards
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Chardonnay
- **Region:** Oregon, United States
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.0%
- **Average price:** €42
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 10–12 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** lemon, peach, pineapple, lime, blossom, white pepper, brioche, toast, butter

## About this wine

Cristom Vineyards was established in 1992 by Paul and Eileen Gerrie in the Eola-Amity Hills of Oregon's Willamette Valley. Today, second-generation owner Tom Gerrie works alongside winemaker Daniel Estrin to produce terroir-driven wines. The Eola-Amity Hills Chardonnay represents Cristom's flagship white cuvée, bringing together estate fruit with trusted local growers across volcanic basalt soils. The vines are cooled by marine air flowing through the Van Duzer Corridor. The 2023 vintage began with a cool spring followed by warm summer conditions, delivering pristine fruit harvested in early September.

## Interesting facts

- Sourced from seven volcanic vineyard sites in the Eola-Amity Hills, including 47% estate-grown fruit.
- Cooled by Pacific Ocean winds flowing through the Van Duzer Corridor gap in the Oregon Coast Range.
- Aged 11 months in French oak barrels followed by 5 months of tank conditioning in stainless steel.

## Food pairing

This vibrant, high-acid Chardonnay with subtle lees texture pairs seamlessly with rich seafood and roasted poultry. The wine's intense natural acidity slices through rich buttery sauces and sweet shellfish, while its subtle saline minerality complements Asian noodle dishes and delicate herbs.

## Wine making process

Harvested entirely by hand, the Chardonnay grapes were whole-cluster pressed and settled overnight before racking to French oak barrels. Fermentation was conducted using 100% ambient native yeasts, followed by complete malolactic fermentation. The wine aged on its fine lees for 11 months in French oak barrels (21% new) before being transferred to stainless steel tanks for an additional 5 months of conditioning prior to bottling.