2017 Chardonnay ~ Eola-Amity Hills

tasting notes
delicate, floral ‒ asian pear, lemon ‒ dry, minerally, refreshing ‒ focused ‒ youthful
 
ava Eola-Amity Hills
elevation 350-400 feet
aspect southwest, gentle to moderate slope
soil Marine Sedimentary
vine age planted 2000
clonal selection Dijon 76
farming Dry-farmed
harvest October 7, 2017
bottled July 26, 2018
cases produced 325
 
the Terroir
The sole source of this Chardonnay is Willakia vineyard, on the western side of the eola-amity hills. The vineyard is cooled by winds coming out of the Van Duzer Corridor—the "air-conditioning" pathway through the Coast Range that funnels cool marine air in to the Willamette Valley from the ocean 30 miles to the west. This cooling influence delays ripening and preserves fresh acidity. Our goal for Chardonnay is to achieve a tension between expressive fruit and vibrant acidity, between substance and delicacy. The cool microclimates of the Eola-Amity Hills give us the opportunity to find that delightful balance point.
 
the Growing Season
The Winter of 2017 brought a deluge of rain and the Spring was cool and wet, delaying bud break and then flowering. the Summer was generally dry and warm, sometimes hot. Critically, the Autumn returned to seasonably cool temps and several cycles of rain recharged the soil and refreshed the vines without causing significant rot issues. we began harvesting in the Willamette Valley on September 28 (Gewurztraminer) and finished with Gamay on October 30, two-to-three weeks later than average. The wines already display a wonderful balance of finesse, definition, generosity and depth, and they will certainly achieve greater subtlety over many years in the cellar.
 
notes on Winemaking
picked October 7, 2017 at 21.1 brix, 3.3 pH. Whole-cluster pressed, 36-hour settling, no SO2. Fermented and aged on lees for 9 months in french and oregon oak barrels (228L & 400L). Primary fermentation completed in March 2018. bottled on July 26, 2018. Unfined
 
about Martin Woods
Our winery is secluded in the wooded foothills of oregon's coast range, within the mcminnville ava. We farm and partner with exceptional, late-ripening vineyards in the willamette valley to produce Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Gamay, Cabernet Franc, Riesling, Gruner Veltliner and Rosé. We strive to make wine in the vineyard, to produce distinctive wines with an authentic sense-of-place. To this end we raise much of our wine in oregon oak barrels (Quercus garryana) locally harvested, air-dried and coopered. Our wines are sought after for their graceful balance, textural depth, expressive aromas and long-aging potential    —Evan Martin