2021 Violin - Chardonnay Willamette Valley (750ml)

Violin Wine was founded in 2013 by Will Hamilton, whose focus from the start has been elegant, age-worthy Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grown through close partnerships with growers committed to top-tier vineyard work. The winery sits on the crest of the Eola Hills, and its approach favors gentle extraction and minimal intervention, letting extended aging build texture and complexity rather than relying on heavy-handed winemaking. Over more than a decade in the Willamette Valley, Hamilton has sharpened Violin's style around both regional character and the specific personality of individual sites.

This bottling blends fruit from three vineyards planted in volcanic soils, with the bulk of the wine built around five barrels from Black Walnut Vineyard, rounded out by two barrels of Sojeau and a single barrel of young vines from the top of Witness Tree Vineyard. The wine was fermented and aged on its lees in small 228-liter barrels before finishing in stainless steel from mid-September through bottling in late January. Total production came in at just under 200 cases, making this one of the more limited releases in Violin's lineup.

The nose is perfumed with orchard fruit and white flowers, giving way to notes of candied citrus. On the palate the wine shows a dense, rounded core balanced by lively acidity, with lemon curd and a touch of spice carrying through a long, well-integrated finish. Its bright structure pairs nicely with pan-seared halibut, roast chicken, or a soft, fresh goat cheese.