Orogeny Vineyards Chardonnay Green Valley 2007
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The vibrant flavors and impeccable balance of the 2007 Green Valley Chardonnay prove that this grape varietal loves chilly climates. Old vines bathed in cold Pacific Ocean fog give this wine its complex citrus, pear, pineapple-guava, tropical fruit and white flower notes. The crisp, balanced acidity and richly textured palate create the perfect framework for the lush fruit flavors. Crème brûlée nuances from malolactic fermentation and French oak barrels lace the aromas and flavors, and then gently linger on the finish. This wine makes an exceptionally delicious complement to appetizers, creamy soups and rich seafood dishes.
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Wine Spectator
Combines crisp ripe pear, apple and honeydew melon fruit with spicy, toasty, cedary oak, gaining body and depth on the long finish. Drink now through 2012.
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Wine Enthusiast
Orogeny has a very good track record with their Chardonnay, and they’ve held back on the price, which is good news for consumers. The '07 is oaky and ripe, with pineapple tart, pear jam, green apple butter, honey, vanilla cream and smoky cedar flavors.
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2006-
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They focus on cool-climate Pinot Noir from Green Valley, the coldest region of the famed Russian River Valley. Fog flows from the Pacific Coast along the Russian River and through the Petaluma Wind Gap, converging on this small area.
Orogeny's grapes are grown on five small vineyards, each only five to ten acres, which were selected to display the bright fruit characteristics of classic Green Valley Pinot Noir. Their limited size permits Orogeny to use hands-on farming techniques. The vines are planted on ridges in Gold Ridge soils, a mix of sandy loam over sandstone and clay. These sites provide excellent drainage, which promotes even ripening and concentrated flavors.
One of the most popular and versatile white wine grapes, Chardonnay offers a wide range of flavors and styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. While it tends to flourish in most environments, Chardonnay from its Burgundian homeland produces some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. California produces both oaky, buttery styles and leaner, European-inspired wines. Somm Secret—The Burgundian subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a bright style similar to the unoaked style. Anyone who doesn't like oaky Chardonnay would likely enjoy Chablis.
Situated on the foggier and colder western edge of the Russian River Valley, almost abutting the Sonoma Coast appellation, Green Valley is one of California’s most reputable Chardonnay and Pinot noir producing regions. It is also a wonderful source of sparkling wines made from these varieties.
Goldridge soils abound throughout the Green Valley appellation. This fine, dark, sandy loam and fractured sandstone is derived from the remains of ancient inland seabeds dating back three to five million years. It is valuable for high quality grape growing because of its excellent drainage and low fertility.