Unoaked Chardonnay Grand Estates
⏳ Drinking Window
2021 - 2024
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Grilled white fish, roasted chicken, fresh goat cheese
✨ Technical Specifications
Crafted in the sun-drenched, wind-swept expanses of the Columbia Valley, the Columbia Crest Unoaked Chardonnay Grand Estates is a vibrant celebration of Washington State's unique terroir. By intentionally bypassing oak barrel aging, the winemakers allow the pure, unadorned character of the Chardonnay grape to shine. This approach highlights the dramatic diurnal temperature shifts of the region, where hot desert days develop rich fruit flavors and crisp, cool nights preserve a refreshing, electric acidity. Fermented entirely in stainless steel tanks, this wine captures the essence of fresh green apples, ripe pears, and citrus blossoms. It stands as a testament to Columbia Crest's pioneering spirit in the Columbia Valley, offering a clean, terroir-driven alternative to the traditionally heavy, oak-laden styles of West Coast Chardonnay.
🍾 About the Producer
Established in 1982 by Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, Columbia Crest was the pioneer winery founded within what is now the acclaimed Horse Heaven Hills AVA of eastern Washington. Situated along the benchlands above the Columbia River, the estate takes full advantage of a semi-arid, rain-shadowed microclimate marked by intense summer sunshine, constant river breezes that deter frost and pests, and fast-draining, wind-blown Warden silt loam soils. Initial plantings in 1978 and early winemaking under founding cellar master Doug Gore established the winery's benchmark status for reliable varietal purity and commercial scale. The production regimen bridges large-scale precision with small-lot barrel fermentation and French and American oak aging. Columbia Crest cemented its reputation when its 2005 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon won Wine Spectator's Wine of the Year. Today, the estate produces tiered selections ranging from the everyday Two Vines and Grand Estates labels to vineyard-driven Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay expressions.
🍇 Grapes
Chardonnay
🍷 ABV
13.5%