Notes from the producer:

"We began twill cellars as a project to explore some of the more unique terroirs in Oregon while employing the three varietals best suited to express the variations of land and vintages that we are hoping to capture.  We're a fairly unobtrusive bunch - organic in the fields and very low impact in the winery.  All of our wines are sourced from the grape and no procured bulk wine is used in our production.  We likely won't attain Instagram fame, though our hope is to keep ahead by crafting serious wines that are vineyard and vintage specific from some of the best terroirs in Oregon. 

Winemaker Chris Dickson was determined to find a way to travel and get away from writing papers for a while after graduating from UNC Chapel Hill following studies in Psychology and Biology. A while is still present tense and following years of work in wine production around the world for many excellent winemakers - Matello, Evesham Wood, Penner-Ash, Betz Family, Framingham, Landmark, Lammershoek and Dr. Loosen - he continues to hone the quality of wines he crafts. When he’s not scrubbing a tote or moving something to get to something, he's spending time with his wife Ruth, son Jack and their four cats, a shovel for yardwork and levain for baking."

About the cuvee:

A blend of three vineyard sites, Molly's vineyard (their estate site), Stormy Morning (Tualatin Hills AVA) and Vojtilla (Chehalem mountains), Twill's Willamette Valley Chardonnay seeks to capture the essence of the Willamette Valley as a whole. Fruit was lightly pressed with a champagne press, with 70% of the fruit crushed prior to pressing. It was aged in a mixture of 300 liter, 500 liter and 600 liter barrels, with roughly 23% of the wine being aged "new" oak. Elevage in barrel lasts 11 months, followed by a further 6 months on the lees in stainless steel tank.

Flor impressions:

Easily the best value-driven domestic Chardonnay we've sampled this year. Opens with enticing notes of stone fruits, lemon pulp, cardamom and vanilla bean. A lively acid cuts through a concentrated, slightly creamy texture before descending towards a savory, and floral finish.

-SL