1996 Woodward Canyon Washington State Chardonnay

Woodward Canyon is in Walla Walla. It was started in 1981 by Rick Small and his wife Darcey Fugman-Small. The estate makes Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Riesling, Barbera and other wines. Woodward canyon owns 42 acres of vineyards near Lowden, Washington, and also sources grapes from Washington vineyards. The estate produces about 15,000 cases annually, which includes about 7,000 cases of Nelms Road wines. Nelms Road is the estate’s second label.

Washington State, with 59,000 vineyard acres, is the second largest producer of wine in the United States. Wine was made in the state as early as the mid-19th century, but Prohibition and, later, restrictive state laws killed the wine making business in the 20th century until the 1960s, when laws changed and large and small producers started making wines. An influential horticulturalist and agriculture professor name Walter J. Clore studied various grape clones in the 1960s to find the best ones for Washington, and by the 1970s Yakima Valley, Walla Walla and Columbia Valley had all become important grape growing areas. The best vineyards in the state are east of the Cascade Mountain range, where hot dry summers and cold winters are conducive to successful viticulture. Numerous grape varieties are grown, with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Chardonnay, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc at the head of the list.

This white variety originated in Burgundy, but is now grown around the world. Its flexibility to thrive in many regions translates to wide flavor profile in the market. Chardonnay is commonly used in making Champagne and sparkling wines.