# Pike Road Chardonnay (NV)

- **Producer:** Pike Road Wines
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Chardonnay
- **Region:** Oregon, United States
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.5%
- **Average price:** €18
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 10–12 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** apple, pear, lemon, peach, melon, butter, toast, vanilla

## About this wine

Pike Road is the sister winery to the historic Elk Cove Vineyards in Oregon's Willamette Valley. Named after the scenic Pike Road that winds through the agricultural heart of Yamhill County, this label focuses on sourcing high-quality fruit from local family-owned vineyards. The goal is to produce varietally accurate, approachable, and value-driven wines that showcase the unique cool-climate terroir of the Willamette Valley.

## Interesting facts

- Pike Road is named after a real, historic gravel road that runs along the foot of the Oregon Coast Range.
- The winery partners with over a dozen small, family-owned vineyards across the Willamette Valley to source their fruit.
- It is a sister project to Elk Cove Vineyards, one of Oregon's pioneering wine estates founded in 1974.

## Food pairing

The bright acidity and medium body of this Willamette Valley Chardonnay make it incredibly versatile. It cuts beautifully through rich, buttery sauces and seafood, while its subtle oak texture complements roasted poultry and pork.

## Wine making process

Hand-harvested Chardonnay grapes are gently pressed. Fermentation occurs in a mix of stainless steel tanks and older, neutral French oak barrels to preserve the bright fruit character while adding subtle texture. The wine undergoes partial malolactic fermentation to balance the crisp acidity with a touch of roundness, followed by aging on the fine lees before bottling.