2023 Roots - Chardonnay Willamette Valley (750ml)

Roots Wine Co. was founded by Chris Berg, who followed his parents to Oregon in 1999 and planted a small vineyard on a whim after finishing a degree in English. Three years later, Chris and his wife Hilary brought in their first harvest and turned it into a modest run of Pinot Noir. The winery takes its name from Racine, Wisconsin, Chris's hometown, which translates to "root" in French. Today Roots crafts roughly 5,000 cases a year from its estate vineyard near Yamhill and a handful of neighboring sites, all farmed organically or biodynamically and fermented exclusively with native yeasts in small, hands-on lots.

This Chardonnay draws fruit primarily from the Ninebark and Fairsing vineyards, both in the hills above the Willamette Valley, where volcanic and sedimentary soils give the grapes a distinctive richness. The Ninebark fruit comes from Dijon 76 clone vines planted at elevation, where cooler temperatures preserve acidity through a long growing season. Fermentation relies on indigenous yeasts, and the wine ages in a mix of neutral oak and stainless steel, a choice that lets the vineyard character come through rather than overt oak spice. The finished wine is bottled unfiltered, following Roots's hands-off approach across its lineup.

Expect bright citrus and orchard fruit, think Meyer lemon and ripe pear, layered with notes of chamomile and a touch of wet stone on the finish. The palate stays lean and precise, with a gentle creaminess from the neutral oak balancing its natural acidity. This Chardonnay suits roasted halibut, herb-crusted chicken, or aged Gruyère.