The 2018 Salem Wine Co. Chardonnay has a nose of elderflower, pear, baker’s yeast, and lemongrass with touches of beeswax. The palate is medium bodied with broad, savory flavors, bright freshness, and a long, flavorful finish. This is made from younger vines a few hundred feet away from the older vines in Seven Springs vineyard, planted with a slight south-facing exposition. – 92 points, Wine Advocate

WINE INFORMATION

Salem Wine Co. is an offspring of Evening Land. Evening Land is a project of Sommelier Rajat Parr and Winemaker Sashi Moorman using vineyards planted in 1984. Rajat Parr is a highly-regarded restaurant professional and wine author who brings a deep familiarity of the greater wine world and Sashi Moorman contributes his passion for viticulture and winemaking. Ben DiCristina is their on-the-ground detail person who helps realize the Evening Land dream in both vineyard and cellar.

Grapes for this wine come from Seven Springs vineyard which has been farmed biodynamically since 2007, is LIVE™-certified and is never irrigated. This Chardonnay grows in the rockier areas of the vineyard’s mid-slope, on younger vines planted in iron-rich clay soils.

After harvest the grapes are gently pressed into neutral 500 liter barrels and undergo daily punchdowns. Fermentation is done with native yeast and the wine goes through full malolactic fermentation. The wine is aged for 12 months in netural barrels, then racked to tank for 6 additional months to naturally clarify.

Cheese, Chicken/Turkey, Cream Sauce Pasta, Fish-full flavored (salmon/tuna), Grilled preparations, Ham, Hearty stew, Lobster & Crab, Shellfish, Sushi