2024 Domaine Drouhin Oregon "Roserock" Chardonnay, Eola-Amity Hills, Oregon

ABOUT THIS WINE

Roserock is a Drouhin family estate in the southern Eola-Amity Hills AVA of Oregon’s Willamette Valley, about 25 miles south of Domaine Drouhin Oregon’s original Dundee Hills property. The estate sits along a south-facing ridge, with vineyards at roughly 120–260 meters (about 400–850 feet) elevation. The site is particularly exposed to cool Pacific air that enters the Willamette Valley through the Van Duzer Corridor in the Coast Range.

Geologically, Roserock is a volcanic site. Ancient lava flows weathered into shallow, rocky, well-drained basalt-derived soils; the estate specifically emphasizes this combination of volcanic geology and relatively thin soils as an important feature of the vineyard. Chardonnay occupies three distinct blocks at Roserock, while most of the vineyard is planted to Pinot Noir. The blocks are managed separately to account for differences in soil, slope and exposure. 

The grapes are handpicked from the three distinct estate blocks, and whole-cluster pressed. The wine is fermented in French Oak barrels (20% New) to enhance complexity and preserve its vibrant, fruit-forward character. Once malolactic fermentation is complete, Véronique blends the barrels to create a Chardonnay of balance and finesse that highlights the unique qualities of the Roserock vineyard.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

Domaine Drouhin Oregon (DDO) grew directly out of the family's Burgundy experience. Robert Drouhin became interested in Oregon as early as 1961, recognizing its potential for Pinot Noir. In 1987, Robert and his daughter Véronique purchased land in the Dundee Hills of the Willamette Valley and established Domaine Drouhin Oregon. Their idea is summed up by the estate's motto: “French Soul, Oregon Soil.”

Véronique Drouhin has made the Oregon wines for more than three decades, while her brother Philippe oversees the vineyards. Their Dundee Hills estate encompasses about 235 acres, with roughly 130 acres planted to vines, principally Pinot Noir with some Chardonnay. The vineyards are densely planted and farmed sustainably, and the winery was constructed as a four-level gravity-flow facility, reflecting the family's preference for gentle handling.

Stylistically, Domaine Drouhin Oregon is fascinating because it isn't simply an attempt to make “Burgundy in Oregon.” The family applies its Burgundian experience to Oregon terroir, producing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that tend toward finesse, balance, freshness, and longevity. Important bottlings include the estate Pinot Noir, Laurène Pinot Noir, and Arthur Chardonnay. The family expanded its Oregon holdings in 2013 with Roserock Vineyard in the Eola-Amity Hills, whose cooler conditions produce wines the family describes as more structured and vibrant than the generally silkier Dundee Hills wines.