Seven Springs Chardonnay, Evening Land Vineyards, 2021

• Grape: Chardonnay
• Region: Oregon, USA
• Biodynamic
• Palate: Fruit for this estate wine comes from Burgundian clones rooted into volcanic soils scattered with iron-rich rocks and pebbles in the Seven Springs’ mid-slope, which we believe plays into the texture and final flavour profile of the wine. Aged 12 months in neutral Austrian oak puncheons. On the palate, flavours of yellow and green apples, white flower petals, lemon zest, cream, and hints of warm baking spice lead to a soft, palate-coating finish.

Master Sommelier's notes

We absolutely love the wines being made by Rajat Parr and Sashi Moorman. They capture everything exciting about modern American winemaking; elegance, intensity, tension and vitality. Our release of their latest Sta. Rita Hills wines from their Californian label, Sandhi, disappeared in record time a couple of weeks ago, so we are delighted to now present the brand new 2021 Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from their Oregon winery, Evening Land. Their philosophy and winemaking approach remains the same at both locations of course, but the resulting wines are markedly different. Terroir! 

The Willamette Valley in Oregon is often compared to Burgundy, for the challenging growing conditions, varieties planted, and the quality-minded smaller scale producers that have chosen to work here. It is therefore not surprising that super sommelier Raj Parr and winemaker Sashi Moorman, who bonded over their love for elegant European wines, found their second home (away from their Domaine de la Cote vineyard) here, becoming full owners of Evening Land in 2012.

The Evening Land estate, whose vineyard is known as ‘Seven Springs’ is planted overwhelmingly to Pinot Noir, followed by Chardonnay, and Gamay. The oldest own-rooted blocks of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are a testament to, and daily reminder of, Oregon’s incredible winemaking history. Seven Springs’ eastern exposure ensures the vineyard awakens to the warmth of the morning sun. The vineyard’s position opposite the windy Van Duzer Corridor, mitigates hot, sunny afternoons in the Willamette Valley with cool winds from the Pacific. As valley temperatures increase throughout the day, warm air rises, replaced by cooling winds flooding in from the Pacific through the Van Duzer gap and across the vineyard. This daily cooling, along with the eastern aspect, affords the grapes the luxury of extended time on the vine.

Benchmark Oregon producers have long sourced fruit from Seven Springs and the wines from this vineyard are the most decorated and award-winning Oregon wines.