Cristom Vineyards was established in 1992 by the Gerrie family to grow and craft distinguished wines of place that honour individual sites and traditional techniques. Family-owned for over thirty years, we remain stewards of our east-facing volcanic hillside in the Eola-Amity Hills focused on growing benchmark Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Bringing together biodynamic and organic farming methods, they farm the land with the next 100-years in mind. Their winegrowing centres on the philosophy that the greatest expression of terroir produces the finest wines. The cornerstone of Cristom's winemaking is rooted in traditional methods – site selection, low yields, whole-cluster fermentation and native yeasts – to produce balanced, dynamic wines of intensity, structure and length.

Oregon is one of the most exciting wine regions in the United States, renowned for its cool-climate wines and a strong focus on sustainability and artisanal production. Located in the Pacific Northwest, Oregon’s wine industry has grown rapidly over the past few decades, with the Willamette Valley at its heart.

The state’s climate is largely influenced by the Pacific Ocean, with cooling breezes, coastal fog, and significant diurnal temperature variation. The Cascade Mountains to the east and the Coast Range to the west create sheltered valleys with diverse microclimates. These conditions are ideal for delicate, expressive wines with natural acidity and aromatic complexity.

The Willamette Valley is the most prominent wine-growing area, known globally for its world-class Pinot Noir. Sub-regions such as Dundee Hills, Yamhill-Carlton, and Eola-Amity Hills each bring unique soil types and elevations that influence wine style. Beyond the Willamette, regions like the Rogue Valley and Umpqua Valley in southern Oregon offer warmer conditions suitable for a broader range of varieties.

Pinot Noir is Oregon’s flagship grape, producing elegant, earthy wines with red berry and floral notes. Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, and Riesling also thrive, while warmer southern sites support Merlot, Syrah, and Tempranillo. Oregon’s wines are celebrated for their balance, purity, and sense of place.

Chardonnay is one of the world’s most popular and versatile white grape varieties, originating from the Burgundy region of France. It is a relatively adaptable vine, thriving in a range of climates and soil types, making it widely planted across the globe. Chardonnay ripens early to mid-season and is known for its ability to express terroir, as well as respond well to a variety of winemaking techniques, including oak ageing and malolactic fermentation.

Today, Chardonnay is grown in nearly every major wine-producing country. In France, it shines in Burgundy’s Chablis (crisp, mineral-driven) and Côte de Beaune (rich, complex), and is also a key component of Champagne. In the New World, regions like California, Australia (Yarra Valley, Margaret River), New Zealand, and Chile produce diverse expressions, ranging from lean and citrusy to full-bodied and buttery.

Cool-climate Chardonnays tend to show green apple, lemon, and flinty notes, while warmer regions yield riper flavours like tropical fruit, peach, and melon. Oak-aged Chardonnays may exhibit vanilla, toast, and nutty characteristics, while unoaked versions highlight freshness and purity of fruit.

This remarkable flexibility makes Chardonnay a favourite among winemakers and wine lovers alike, offering a wide spectrum of styles and flavours.