Perkins Harter Chardonnay "Bracken Vineyard" 2021

Perkins Harter is a microwinery led by Shelby Perkins, a winegrower who farms Bracken Vineyard and crafts her wines with an exacting level of detail. She produces only 200-500 cases of wine each year from her own estate, which she mindfully farms utilizing both organic and biodynamic methodologies. Her control of adaptations in the vineyard allow her minimal input in the winery - whether for Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, or her sparkling wines. Conversations with Shelby are like trying to put a saddle on a tornado - it’s clear she has more thoughts per second than her tongue can possibly articulate. Nevertheless, her winemaking brilliance is undeniable. 2021 is only her third vintage since taking ownership of the Bracken Vineyard, and every vintage more and more clearly tells the origin story of the future of Oregon wines.

 

Despite the youth of the vines, the chardonnay from Bracken expresses its terroir with great clarity and class. The wine is particularly vibrant, elegant and floral with a great minerality. Not a rich, sultry, wine but an exercise in subtle detail and careful balance.

Bracken Vineyard is perched on the western benchlands of the Eola Hills, with elevations of 630-730 feet and views that stretch up and down the Willamette Valley. Here, the soil subclassificiations are predominantly Nekia, Ritner, Witzel and Jory - all of volcanic origin but with varying depths. We believe in maintaining clean soils and a clean environment. We farm organically and began utilizing biodynamic practices in 2019.