Geoffrey met Shelby Perkins while they were both pursuing the Master of Wine program. 2016 was the same year that Shelby first planted vines on her organic vineyard. Shelby’s commitment to soil vitality has deepened with each vintage, attracting some of the Willamette Valley’s top wineries to get in line for Bracken Vineyard fruit. Shelby’s meticulous farming, the vineyard’s complex soils and clonal diversity, and Eola-Amity’s cool micro-climate, come together in a remarkable site to make wine from.
With western benchland elevations between 630 - 750 feet, the vineyard receives good sunlight in the afternoon and evening, along with exposure to Van Duzer Corridor effects. All of this contributes to elongated ripening periods, and reduced heat stress.
The soils are predominantly Nekia, Ritner, Witzel and Jory — all of volcanic origin but with varying depths. What that looks like is a soil spectrum of quickly draining, thin soils like Nekia which tend to produce more citrus-driven Chardonnays, all the way to iron-rich, water-retaining soils like Jory that produce fruit-driven Chards. Having a broad mix of soil types allows for an elegant Chardonnay that has both precision and generosity.
Made with a delicate touch, the grapes were gently whole bunch pressed then put to two neutral barrels for an extended wild fermentation and further aging for 11 months, in an effort to transparently express the site.
Tasting Note
A racy, citrusy Chardonnay that shows tension and energy, marked by a saline minerality, bright lemon fruit, peach yogurt, and delicate spices.
Food Pairing
Oysters with mignonette would be a natural match for Søren’s 2024 Bracken Vineyard Chardonnay: the saline edge in the wine will reflect the oysters’ brininess beautifully. You could also reach for a spring pea burrata salad, topped with a pinch of salt flakes. The cheese’s creaminess against the wine’s minerally citrus will make for a luscious pairing.