2011 Cameron Winery Dundee Hills Chardonnay

Cameron was started in 1984 when John Paul, a man with doctorate in marine biochemistry, decided to make wine instead of pursuing an academic career. He worked in Oregon, New Zealand and California learning winemaking, eventually becoming assistant winemaker at Carneros Creek Winery. With his wife and several business partners, he founded Cameron estate, where all farming is done without irrigation. Along with Pinot Noir, the estate grows Nebbiolo, Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, Fruilano, Pinot Grigio and Auxerrois.

Dundee Hills AVA is in Yamhill County, and it is entirely contained within the Willamette Valley AVA, Oregon’s best known appellation. Dundee Hills is about 30 miles southwest of Portland, and has 1,300 vineyard acres. It was awarded AVA status in 2004 and, like much of Oregon, is known for Pinot Noir. Several of Oregon’s 20th century wine pioneers established their vineyards and wineries in Dundee Hills, adding to its status as a region long-recognized for producing high quality, iconic Oregon wines. Eyrie Vineyards, Erath Winery and Sokol Blosser remain some of Oregon’s most celebrated producers, and all were founded in what is now Dundee Hills in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

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.