Our Single Barrel Solaksen Chardonnay comes from the Royal Slope AVA in Washington State. The 2021 vintage had below-average precipitation in the winter, which resulted in small clusters and generally low yields due to hot and windy bloom conditions.

Patience was rewarded for those who waited to harvest, as cool Fall temperatures allowed flavors to catch up while sugar accumulation plateaued. Solaksen’s sustainable vineyards used efficient drip irrigation, cover cropping, and compost additions.

The Chardonnay clones used in this wine are 76 and 15. The wine was fermented very slowly in a mixture of new 228L and a 500L puncheon from Damy, Taransaud, and Tonnellerie O Cooperages and underwent full malolactic fermentation via native bacteria. The Chardonnay spent 20 months in 100% New French oak. The final blend was made in tank, where the wine was cold stabilized just before being bottled unfined and unfiltered. Only 146 cases produced.