2022 Walter Scott - Chardonnay Willamette Valley Freedom Hill
2022 Chardonnay — Freedom Hill, Willamette Valley
Walter Scott Wines, founded by Ken Pahlow and Erica Landon, carries a narrative rooted in family and meticulous craft. Named for Ken’s grandfather Walter and his late nephew Scott, the winery began its Chardonnay program in 2011 after a celebrated first vintage in 2009 at Patricia Green Cellars. The 2022 Chardonnay from Freedom Hill embodies the estate’s long-standing relationship with the Willamette Valley’s slate of soils and a winemaking approach that emphasizes texture, precision, and a sense of place.
Vineyard & Sourcing
- Freedom Hill Vineyard, established in 1981 by Dan and Helen Dusschee, is now farmed organically by Dustin Dusschee, preserving a careful, site-driven approach.
- Fruit for this Chardonnay comes from three blocks planted to Dijon clones on Bellpine loam soils, perched on an ancient uplifted seabed. The soils contribute mineral clarity and well‑drained vigor to the wine’s profile.
- Walter Scott has sourced Freedom Hill fruit since 2012, underscoring a long‑standing partnership that informs the vintage’s balance and lineage.
Winemaking & Style
The 2022 vintage was fermented and aged in fifty percent new French oak for twelve months, then finished with three months in stainless steel. This regime builds texture and depth while preserving bright acidity and a precise, mineral-driven edge that keeps the wine poised from nose to finish.
Tasting Notes
The bouquet opens with lime zest, wet stone, and cardamom-dusted French bread, hinting at the wine’s elegant spice and razor-sharp mineral backbone. On the palate, citrus and melon fruit unfold with tension and delineation, supported by a silky, well-defined texture. The finish is long and vibrant, echoing the wine’s mineral clarity and poised acidity.
Pairings & Food Suggestions
This Chardonnay is crafted to accompany elevated seafood preparations and poultry dishes. It pairs beautifully with grilled scallops, roast chicken, or a rich seafood risotto, where the wine’s energy and texture lift the richness of the dish without losing finesse.
Why this wine matters
Rooted in the Willamette Valley’s Eola-Amity Hills and guided by a commitment to expressive site-driven Chardonnay, the 2022 Freedom Hill offers a precise, mineral-driven profile with texture and length that set it apart from everyday bottlings. It embodies Walter Scott’s philosophy of letting the vineyard’s character speak through the wine.