Erath Releases First Wine from Willakia Vineyard

04 Dec 2014 --- Erath Winery, one of the pioneering wineries of Oregon's Willamette Valley and the region's leading producer of Pinot Noir, has released the first wine from their new estate vineyard in the Eola-Amity Hills, Willakia Vineyard. The 2013 Willakia Chardonnay, also the first Chardonnay from Erath in more than a decade, is available exclusively at the winery's tasting room in Dundee, Ore., and from the winery's website.

Erath purchased Willakia Vineyard in March 2014. The property encompasses 298 total acres, of which 119 acres is currently planted, consisting of 98 acres of Pinot Noir and 21 acres of Chardonnay. Approximately another 30 acres are suitable for planting, and Erath is currently exploring the feasibility of constructing a new estate winery on the site.

The vineyard lies in the Eola-Amity Hills appellation, one of the most renowned wine growing regions of the greater Willamette Valley. The name Willakia is derived from the names of two soil types that are prominent throughout the region – Willakenzie and Nekia. Willakia Vineyard is sustainably farmed and is LIVE and Salmon Safe certified.

The grapes for the 2013 Willakia Chardonnay were purchased from the previous owners prior to Erath's acquisition of the vineyard itself. Block 18, a 2.6-acre parcel planted entirely to the Dijon clone 76 of Chardonnay, was the source for this particular wine. Now, with full access to the entire vineyard, Erath plans to produce a full range of Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays from Willakia, potentially including single-block and/or single-clone bottlings.

The 2013 Willakia Chardonnay was harvested on October 12, two weeks after a series of rain showers – remnants of Typhoon Pabuk that eventually crossed the Pacific Ocean from Japan – passed through the Willamette Valley. The prolonged warm, dry period that followed the rain allowed the vineyard to dry out and provided for extended ripening and maturation of the remaining fruit. The wine was then fermented in a combination of French oak and stainless steel, before being aged on its lees for eight months in 100% French oak with 40% new barrels.

Erath has released just 238 cases of the inaugural 2013 Willakia Chardonnay, which retails for $34.

"We're extremely proud of our first release from Willakia," said Gary Horner, winemaker for Erath. "The 2013 Chardonnay is a terrific expression of both the vineyard and the vintage, and a classic example of Oregon Chardonnay – perfectly balanced with bright fruit character and plenty of mouth-watering acidity."

"The future potential for Willakia is simply astounding," Horner added. "We're very excited by what we're seeing in the young wines from the 2014 vintage, for both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. I feel like a kid in a candy store."

"Willakia has turned out to be every bit the standout vineyard we thought it would be," said Ted Baseler, President and CEO of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, parent company for Erath. "We remain as firmly committed to Oregon today as we were when we first came here almost ten years ago."