King Estate is synonymous with Pinot Gris but our selection of outstanding white wines is varied and vast and includes America’s favorite white wine, Chardonnay (although Pinot Gris is close on its heels). If you haven’t tried an Oregon Chardonnay, it just might change how you feel about the wine.
The grape is gaining in popularity in the state, where winemakers approach the wine with a lighter touch. (Translation: These aren’t your neighbor’s buttery, oaky Chards.) Associate Winemaker Matt Danner, a big Chardonnay fan, notes that Willamette Valley Chardonnay stands in delightful and delicious contrast to some of those overpowering versions that have clouded Chardonnay’s otherwise shining rep.
It makes sense that Chardonnay would do well in a state famous for Pinot Noir, since the two grapes are closely related. As renowned wine educator Kevin Zraly observed, Pinot Noir is a white wine masquerading as red, while Chardonnay is a red wine masquerading as white.
King Estate offers two Chardonnays – our Willamette Valley label that is nationally distributed, and a vineyard designate from Grand Oak available through our club, in our Tasting Room and online. Grand Oak was originally planted in 2001 as Nicholas Vineyard. It was renamed in 2014 after an ownership change. Since 2021 King Estate has been fortunate to receive fruit from Grand Oak. We are delighted to share these delicious Chards with you.
