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Gradient Vineyard 2024 Chardonnay
Farming First
Our philosophy is that great wine begins with great farming.
Wine has always been a part of our story, beginning with our first date in 2010 over a bottle of Riesling to establishing Gradient Vineyard in 2020.
Gradient is a nod not only to the slope of the soils on which our grapes our grown but also to the color transition on the wine labels, referencing the components we each bring to the wine. Jeremy has a background in viticulture and soil science while Jenna has a foundation in art and design. We look forward to sharing our hard work and dedication with you!
Jeremy & Jenna Cusimano
Cellar 503 Tasting Notes
Gradient Vineyard, Lower Long Tom, Oregon
2024 Chardonnay
Planted by the original owner in 2012 and now called Gradient, this vineyard is located near Benton-Lane Winery and the town of Monroe in the Lower Long Tom American Viticultural Area.
Gradient Vineyard is a micro-winery and vineyard located in the southern Willamette Valley, Oregon, an ideal region for producing cool climate varietals. Farming only 1.5 acres, we specialize in small lot production Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Our vineyard's small size gives us complete control over every aspect of our viticultural practices. This allows us to implement methods such as no-till farming, organic management, spur pruning, and entirely avoid the use of herbicides.
The fruit was pressed immediately after harvest using a quick, gentle press (1 hour, <2 bar) to maintain freshness, preserve the aromas, and avoid extracting excessive skin and seed tannin. The juice chilled in the tank before going into a mix of one, two, and three-year-old French oak barrels to ferment. The main fermentation was fast, and this year we performed a partial malolactic fermentation to balance the acidity and ripeness. The wine stayed on its lees, was stirred often, and bottled on August 28th.
Alcohol: 13.7%
Acidity-Ph: 3.36
TA: 6.6 g/l
Clone: 100% Dijon 548
AVA: Lower Long Tom
Vineyard: Gradient Estate
Vinification: 0% new French Oak, barrel-aged for 11 months
A Cellar 503 selection in September 2026, Say Cheese! Willamette Valley | Chardonnay
