# Oyster River Orange (2025)

- **Producer:** Oyster River Winegrowers
- **Colour:** orange
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Chardonnay
- **Region:** Maine, United States
- **Style:** Natural
- **Alcohol:** 10.5%
- **Average price:** €24
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 10–12 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** apricot, peach, orange, blossom, herbaceous, dried apricot

## About this wine

Founded in 2007 by Brian Smith and Allie Willenbrink, Oyster River Winegrowers operates out of a historic 57-acre farmstead in Warren, Maine. Smith holds a degree in Viticulture and Enology from UC Fresno. Operating with a dedication to low-intervention winemaking, the estate utilizes draft horses for farming estate vineyards and sources organic grapes from regional growers across the Northeast.

## Interesting facts

- Grapes undergo spontaneous fermentation driven by native yeasts inside a historic wooden barn cellar in Maine.
- The winery uses draft horses for horse-powered farming on its estate vineyard site.
- Delivers a full-bodied skin-contact Chardonnay experience at a light 10.5% ABV.

## Food pairing

The light tannin structure and bright natural acidity of this skin-contact orange Chardonnay cut through rich meats and fat, while its herbal and dried stone fruit profile harmonizes with mild spice and peppery hard cheeses.

## Wine making process

Crafted from 100% Chardonnay grapes sourced from organic vineyards in the Northeast, including the Finger Lakes region. The grapes undergo skin maceration and wild yeast fermentation inside a historic wooden barn cellar. Bottled unfiltered and unfined without oak influence or heavy sulfur additions to preserve raw fruit purity and natural texture.