2022 Chardonnay Vielles Vignes
These grapes were sourced from among the oldest Chardonnay vines in WA state. The Château Puryear vineyard was one of the first in the Rattlesnake Hills AVA and was planted in 1980 by Gail Puryear.
And we certainly appreciate the access to these special grapes. You know, it’s not too often that you get access to fruit by the guy who originally planted the vines, 45 years earlier.
This Chardonnay is our first end-to-end vintage using barrels coopered by Jérôme Viard from 120+ year old Argonne Forest oak.
And in a tradition straight out of France (or perhaps Mayberry RFD), the pick date of these grapes was monitored by a time-honored tradition. The vineyard manager monitors a particular walnut tree adjacent to the vineyard, and in the Fall, when this tree starts to drop its leaves, it’s usually about time to start planning to pick these grapes; now that’s tradition.
Tasting notes: Bottling scheduled for mid June 2024...still under development.
Rattlesnake Hills AVA
Château Puryear Vineyard