Staking Claim Chardonnay - 2017

Staking Claim is Gina’s Chehalem Mountains bottling, the counterpoint to her Breaking Ground Pinot Noir. The fruit comes from four vineyard sites throughout the appellation, including Boulder Bluff, Adelsheim’s smallest vineyard — and far and away the most difficult to farm on account of its steepness and abundance of large boulders. Fermentation is cool and long, lasting a month or more, and only 20% of the wine is allowed to go through full malolactic fermentation, which preserves freshness. The wine was fermented and aged in French oak barrels (30% new) for one full year, followed by another five months in stainless steel. 13% alcohol.