Sharecropper's Chardonnay
⏳ Drinking Window
2021 - 2025
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
roasted chicken, grilled seafood, creamy pasta dishes
✨ Technical Specifications
The 'Sharecropper's' label from Owen Roe carries a rich history rooted in mutual support and community resilience. During the economic downturn of 2001, winemaker David O'Reilly established partnerships with local grape growers who were struggling to sell their fruit. In a modern nod to the historical practice of sharecropping, Owen Roe took the grapes, made the wine, and shared the profits with the growers once the bottles were sold. This Chardonnay is crafted in a fresh, vibrant style, sourcing fruit from select vineyards in Washington's Columbia Valley. To maintain its bright acidity and pure orchard fruit flavors, the wine is typically fermented and aged in a combination of stainless steel and neutral French oak, offering a beautiful balance of crispness and subtle texture.
🍾 About the Producer
Founded in 1999 by winemaker David O'Reilly and Jerry McNally, Owen Roe was established with a mission to craft world-class, terroir-driven wines from the premier vineyard sites of the Pacific Northwest. Named in honor of the 17th-century Irish patriot Owen Roe O'Neill, the winery operates estate facilities and sources fruit spanning both Washington's Columbia and Yakima Valleys and Oregon's Willamette Valley. Owen Roe champions a low-intervention winemaking philosophy, utilizing gentle handling and thoughtful oak integration to articulate the distinctive character of esteemed vineyards such as DuBrul, Red Willow, and Union Gap. The producer is widely celebrated for its nuanced single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Cabernet Franc, alongside popular and characterful blends like Sinister Hand, Ex Umbris, and Abbot's Table.
🍇 Grape Varieties
Chardonnay