2021 Tan Fruit - Chardonnay Willamette Valley Fairview (750ml)

Tan Fruit is the experimental side project of Jim Maresh, owner and winemaker of Arterberry Maresh, one of Oregon's oldest and most respected wine families. While Arterberry Maresh focuses tightly on estate-grown fruit, Tan Fruit lets Maresh range further afield, sourcing grapes from a variety of standout Willamette Valley vineyards to explore new expressions of Chardonnay. He brings the same core philosophy to every bottling, favoring early picking and fully dry fermentation to preserve tension and precision in the finished wine.

This bottling comes from Fairview Vineyard, farmed with the meticulous, hands-on approach that defines Maresh's winemaking. The 2021 vintage is widely regarded as one of the finest in recent Willamette Valley history, thanks to a dry growing season and naturally low yields that concentrated flavor in the fruit. The wine was aged using a considered mix of oak and stainless steel, a combination chosen to hold onto freshness and energy while still allowing a bit of textural richness to develop, and fermentation was carried through to complete dryness.

The nose opens with red apple and quince, layered with savory notes of mushroom, matchstick, hay, and acacia flower. The palate is light-bodied yet energetic, built around a taut, youthful core of fruit that unwinds into a long, mineral-driven finish. Its bright acidity and savory edge make it a natural match for seared scallops, roast chicken, or a soft-ripened cheese like triple crème brie.