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Dion Vineyard 2013 Chardonnay
The god of the harvest and wine
My son is obsessed with Greek mythology. Has been for years. Learning the various gods and demigods names, powers and lineage with astounding facility is only one of his talents. Zeus, Apollo, Athena, Poseidon are all big in our house.
Of course, in the wine business, it’s Dionysus that looms large – the god of the harvest and wine, and the namesake of Dion Vineyard in Cornelius, Oregon. First planted in 1973 by Kevin’s parents, Ron & Joanne, their beloved Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes have been in demand for many well-known winemakers for decades.
At first, Kevin had no interest in the family business and was content to manage the vineyard from a distance and sell their entire crop. He nurtured his own passions for aeronautical engineering and created his own path in the world of airplanes, space shuttles and drones. But about seven years ago, the viticulture bug bit and Kevin gave up his engineering career.
Under his direction, Dion Vineyard became LIVE Certified back in 2009. For him, and his equally talented marketingguru/assistant winemaker wife Beth, sustainable farming has a direct impact on the expressiveness of his wines. With fewer inputs, the land can shine through more clearly.
Cellar 503 Tasting Notes
Dion Vineyard, Cornelius, Oregon
2013 Chardonnay
Gasp! It’s a Chardonnay! And I promise you’ll like it. This is not your typical buttery (California) Chardonnay, but a great representation of what Oregon Chardonnays have to offer.
Open it up and give it a try. OAer a glass to a friend. I bet you’ll be talking about the wonders of Oregon Chardonnay for days.
These grapes have turned into a golden-hued wine with toasty vanilla aromas and notions of apple and lemon thyme. This is a complex Chardonnay, developing character as you taste on multiple levels – from roasted almonds to lemons and pears, enveloping the palate and begging to be savored. The fruit and light toast are balanced out with a bracing acidity, the hallmark of good Oregon white wines.
A Cellar 503 selection in April 2015, Biodynamic, Organic & LIVE Certified Wines Chehalem Mountains | Chardonnay
