When Joseph Drouhin established his eponymous negociant company in 1880, he could scarcely have imagined that his family name would one day grace an estate in Oregon. Purchased by his grandson Robert in 1987, whose eye for an opportunity was instrumental in the company’s post-war success, Drouhin’s Dundee Hills vineyard was joined in 2013 by Roserock Estate in the Eola-Amity Hills. The original site has a remarkable similarity in climate, latitude, and aspect to the great vineyards of Burgundy, whilst Roserock has a cooler climate and volcanic soils; both produce Pinot Noir and Chardonnay of great clarity and finesse. Robert’s children Véronique and Philippe, who oversee winemaking and viticulture respectively, are also on hand to ensure the Drouhin style is present whilst simultaneously allowing Oregon’s unique terroir to shine through.

The grapes come from the three Chardonnay blocks at Drouhin’s Rockrose estate and were hand-picked between late September and early October.