2009 Domaine Serene Recolte Grand Cru Chardonnay

Domaine Serene is in Dayton, Oregon. The estate has numerous vineyards in several areas of the Willamette Valley, in the heart of Oregon’s Pinot Noir country. The estate was founded in 1989 by Grace and Tony Evenstad. The couple built a pharmaceutical company in Minnesota before starting their winery in Oregon. Domaine Serene is known for its single vineyard Pinot Noirs. It also produces Chardonnay.

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.