Third Annual Oregon Chardonnay Symposium Adds International Perspective

The third annual Oregon Chardonnay Symposium will take place on Saturday, March 8 at Stoller Family Estate. This year’s expanded event will feature a technical seminar with domestic and international speakers and a grand tasting with 40 select Oregon Chardonnay producers. Tickets are $100 for the panel and grand tasting or $60 for the tasting only; they are available online at http://www.oregonchardonnaysymposium.com. Oregon Chardonnay Symposium will award three pairs of complimentary tickets to the grand tasting. “Like” the Oregon Chardonnay Symposium Facebook page to be entered into the online drawings being held daily Monday, February 10 through Wednesday, February 12.

The technical seminar, “The Future of Oregon Chardonnay,” will be moderated by Essential Wines and Wineries of the Pacific Northwest author, Cole Danehower. Panelists will include the following Oregon producers: Melissa Burr of Stoller Family Estate; David Paige of Adelsheim Vineyard; Josh Bergström of Bergström Wines; Jesse Lange of Lange Estate Winery; Harry Peterson-Nedry of Chehalem Wines; Robert Brittan of Brittan Vineyards; and Doug Tunnell of Brick House Vineyards. Dominique Lafon of Domaine des Comtes and Veronique Drouhin of Joseph Drouhin and Domaine Drouhin Oregon will add an international perspective. The 2pm to 4pm seminar will be followed by a grand tasting from 4pm to 6pm featuring 40 of Oregon’s top selected Chardonnay producers – the largest tasting ever offered of the region’s bottlings.

According to Paul Durant, Co-founder of Oregon Chardonnay Symposium, “This year’s event will have a dynamic take on the past, present and future of Oregon Chardonnay. As the event grows, we will look to challenge the topic and explore additional facets – from the evolving scene in the state, to production techniques, clonal selection and more.” Durant is also co-owner of Durant Vineyards and Red Ridge Farms, founded in Dayton, Oregon in 1973.

Bill Stoller, a native Oregonian who has been growing Chardonnay on his family’s 373-acre property for nearly 20 years, comments, “I’ve long believed in the growing potential of Chardonnay here in Oregon, and admire the vision of Oregon Chardonnay Symposium Founders, Paul Durant and Erica Landon. We are honored to host this year’s event.”