Walter Scott Chardonnay Freedom Hill Vineyard 2024
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The Land
Freedom Hill is one of Oregon's most storied vineyard addresses, established in 1981 by Dan and Helen Dusschee on the southeast slopes of an ancient uplifted seabed in Polk County. The soils are Bellpine loam, marine sedimentary, well-draining, and low in organic matter — the kind of stress-inducing profile that produces concentrated, structured fruit. Sheltered from the Van Duzer winds by its position on the eastern side of the Eola-Amity Hills, Freedom Hill runs slightly warmer than its neighbors, building concentration and phenolic ripeness alongside the characteristic acidity of the AVA. Dustin Dusschee, the second generation, now farms organically without irrigation. Walter Scott works three separate Chardonnay blocks here, planted to Dijon 76 and 95 clones with vine ages from 10 to 30 years.
The Wine
100% Chardonnay from three Freedom Hill blocks, co-fermented with indigenous yeasts. Ken farms for low yields and picks on pH rather than sugar — he's after physiological ripeness with low malic content and controlled potential alcohol. Whole-cluster pressed, briefly settled, then transferred to barrel with the gross lees intact. Ken does not rack off the solids before fermentation; he scoops everything into the puncheons, where the gross lees build early texture and sustain the reductive environment. Aged 12 months in a new 500-liter puncheon, a once-filled puncheon, and neutral puncheons. Minimal bâtonnage, 100% malolactic fermentation. Three additional months in stainless steel before bottling. The reductive winemaking is deliberate: a smoky, flinty thread runs through lemon curd, white nectarine, hazelnuts, and salted almond. Taut and precise, with the structure to develop over five or more years in bottle.
The People
Walter Scott was founded in 2008 by Ken Pahlow and Erica Landon. Ken worked at St. Innocent for years before a formative stint with Dominique Lafon at Evening Land deepened his understanding of how Chardonnay is made at its best: low yields, pH-driven picking decisions, reductive handling, and patience. He has worked with Freedom Hill since 2012, having known the vineyard through his years at St. Innocent. The Pahlow-Landon team and the Dusschee family share an understanding of what careful farming and low intervention in the cellar can produce from this site. Imported by Grand Cru Selections.
Food Pairing
Freedom Hill Chardonnay's weight and mineral precision call for similarly substantial food. Seared scallops with brown butter and capers, roast pork tenderloin with apple and fennel, grilled lobster tail with herb butter, or a creamy pasta with chanterelle mushrooms. A Chardonnay that earns its place at a proper dinner table.
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Weather shipping advisory: Orders placed during times of extreme heat or extreme cold will be held for no charge until more favorable weather returns.
The Willamette Valley, nestled in Oregon, is a region renowned for its cool-climate wines, particularly its Pinot Noir. While Pinot Noir is its most celebrated variety, the valley is also home to other cool climate varieties like Chardonnay and Riesling. The region's unique terroir, characterized by rolling hills, volcanic and sedimentary soils, and a maritime climate influence, contributes to the elegance and complexity of its wines. The wines of the Willamette Valley offer a delicate balance between fruit, acidity, and earthiness. Its increasingly growing reputation places it among the world’s top regions for Pinot Noir.
Oregon - Willamette Valley
Chardonnay, one of the world's most versatile and beloved white grape varieties, showcases a remarkable spectrum of styles, from the lean, mineral-driven expressions of Chablis in France to the rich, buttery, and oak-aged versions from California's Napa Valley. Its adaptability extends to cooler climates such as Burgundy, where it achieves elegance and complexity, and to regions like Australia's Yarra Valley, known for producing vibrant and fruit-forward renditions. This grape's ability to reflect its terroir, coupled with winemaking techniques, results in a wide array of profiles, including unoaked, crisp varieties with apple and citrus notes, to full-bodied wines with tropical fruit flavors and creamy textures.
