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Oregon Chardonnays like this bottle of 2020 Adelsheim Chardonnay from winemaker Gina Hennin is the perfect example of why more and more Burgundy houses are snapping up vineyards throughout the state. Unlike some Chardonnays produced in warmer climes like Napa Valley, the wines from Oregon have a light touch and an elegant profile and are frankly a joy to sip.
This bottle comes in at 13% alcohol, and the palate is made for those easy drinking days when you want to relax with a cool glass of Chard after a long day.
Established back in 1978, Adelsheim has the very cool distinction of being the Chehalem Mountains’ very first winery.
Adelsheim Wines founders David and Ginny Adelsheim began exploring grape cultivation in Chehalem in 1971 when they purchased a small lot of 19 acres here. It would take another seven years before the pair had the realization that the land in this part of Oregon could yield some very special Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes. While this post is all about Adelsheim Chardonnay, the winery’s Pinot Noirs are considered some of the most impressive on the West Coast.
In 2017, David sold his stake in the winery to another couple that shared his passion for finely crafted Willamette Valley wines, Jack and Lynn Loacker. Following their purchase, the Loackers have expanded the vineyard property to an impressive 175 acres, all of which are herbicide-free.
It’s also worth mentioning that the winery has been named a Wine & Spirits Top 100 Winery seven times!
Thanks to her previous career as an engineer, winemaker Gina Hennin has an eye for detail. Gina left what she calls her “cubicle days” behind in 2006 when she began learning winemaking and decided to pursue her passion full-time. Based on the wines she is producing at Adelsheim, we’d say that was an excellent move.
She joined the team at Adelsheim in 2018, shortly after the sale to Jack and Lynn Loacker, and is considered one of Oregon’s top winemakers.
If you look closely at the Adelsheim bottle label, you will notice a ‘LIVE’ certification. If you’re newer to the wines of Oregon and Washington, it’s worth taking a closer look at what this signifier means.
LIVE certification is a voluntary sustainability program that wineries in the Pacific Northwest can enroll in. The certification, which stands for Locavore Independent Verification Enterprise (LIVE), includes using ground cover crops in vineyards rather than tilling, water conservation, environmentally-friendly pest control methods, and creating safe working conditions while paying a fair wage to vineyard workers.
Today, all of the winery’s vineyards are LIVE certified.
Chehalem Mountains AVA is located in Oregon’s Willamette Valley and was created in 2006. The region covers roughly 68,000 acres, which is about half the size of Napa Valley’s 122,000 acres, and 13% of Sonoma County’s 500,000 acres.
The cool climate of the Chehalem Mountains is one of the reasons this Chardonnay is so sleek. The grapes ripen slowly and produce just the right amount of sugar in conditions like this.
Chehalem also produces collectible Burgundian-style Pinots like those from Ken Wright Cellars and Domaine Serene.
USA
Oregon, Chehalem Mountains
Chardonnay
13
Gina Hennen
49–55°F / 9–12°C
Chardonnay
Not Needed
Now to 2030
Adelsheim Vineyard
Right off the bat, we want you to know that the 2020 Adelsheim Chardonnay is one of the most enjoyable Oregon Chardonnays we have tried. In the glass, the wine is a pale lemon color, and a bouquet of juicy fruits, creaminess, and chalk dance on the nose. Hints of ripe melon and passion fruit, but also peach present themselves.
The palate is both sleek and vibrant. Crisp apple, pitted orchard fruits (peach and apricot), refreshing lemon, but also clean elemental notes of chalk and graphite. There’s also the slightest sense of celery here.
This is a lean Chardonnay with a nice mouthfeel, a wave of minerality in between all that fruit, and a finish that lingers and invites sipping.
Adelsheim’s Chardonnay would pair well with lightly grilled or sauteed seafood dishes like grilled salmon, lobster tail, or scallops. The acidity in this wine also makes it a great contender for olive oil-based pastas like shrimp scampi, slightly more robust chicken piccata, or even a traditional roasted chicken.
You can also count on a white wine like this to complement a cheese board with creamy cheeses like Brie, dried fruits, and nuts.
The 2020 Adelsheim Chardonnay from winemaker Gina Hennin is a lovely wine that is beautifully crafted, and has a balanced palate. At under $30, this wine is a steal and presents great value for all of you Chardonnay lovers out there. The next time we visit the Willamette Valley wine country, you can guarantee we will be making a stop at this winery.
