Salem Wine Company by Evening Land, Chardonnay, Eola Amity Hills

There is no place on earth right now delivering better price-to-quality Chardonnay than Oregon. Full stop. The secret is out among those paying attention. The combination of cool climate, serious farming, and sedimentary, seashell-laced soils has drawn some of the sharpest minds in the wine world — including Dominique Lafon of Domaine des Comtes Lafon, who oversees winemaking at Evening Land. When a vigneron of that caliber chooses to invest his time and reputation somewhere, it’s not by accident. The 2023 Salem Wine Company Chardonnay from Eola-Amity Hills is case in point. If you love village-level Puligny-Montrachet — that tension, that chalky cut, that restrained power — you have it here for a third of the price. This bottle is one of the clearest arguments that Oregon, particularly Eola-Amity, is the best value Chardonnay region on earth right now.

The Willamette Valley itself is a study in nuance. Stretching north to south with a quilt of sub-AVAs — Dundee Hills with its volcanic Jory soils and red-fruited charm; Ribbon Ridge, compact and marine-influenced; Yamhill-Carlton’s sedimentary depth and darker structure; Chehalem Mountains’ varied elevations — it is a region defined by subtle shifts in soil and exposure. And then there is Eola-Amity Hills. Perched at a similar latitude to Burgundy and swept daily by the Van Duzer Corridor’s cooling Pacific winds, this is a place built for precision. The soils here — uplifted marine sediment and ancient seabed — echo Burgundy’s limestone origins. The wines carry that same tension: saline edges, mineral spine, and restrained fruit framed by acidity. It’s not imitation. It’s convergence. Same latitude. Similar geology. Cool-climate farming. The result? Wines that feel unmistakably Burgundian in structure, yet distinctly Oregon in purity — at a fraction of the cost.

Evening Land’s story is one of ambition and detail. Founded with the intent of producing world-class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from estate vineyards, the project gained international credibility when Dominique Lafon joined to guide the winemaking vision. Their Seven Springs Vineyard in Eola-Amity Hills is one of the great sites in the valley — organically farmed, meticulously managed, and deeply expressive of place. Salem Wine Company represents a more accessible tier within the Evening Land portfolio — sourced from estate vineyards, crafted with the same philosophy, simply positioned at a more attainable price point. In my opinion, this wine drinks at the level of bottles twice — even three times — the cost. Pour this blind for seasoned Burgundy drinkers and many would confidently call it $70+ Côte de Beaune. The value proposition here is frankly insane.

In the glass, the 2023 shows lifted aromas of lemon oil, green apple skin, crushed seashell, white flowers, and a subtle hint of hazelnut. The palate is medium-bodied yet electric — bright Meyer lemon, pear, and citrus blossom layered over a chalky, saline backbone. There’s a gentle creaminess from lees work, but it never tips into heaviness. The finish is long, mineral, and mouthwatering, pulling you right back for another sip.

Pair this with roast chicken and herbs, Dungeness crab with drawn butter, halibut with beurre blanc, or a simple plate of oysters and good olive oil. It would be stunning with a classic sole meunière or even a creamy risotto with spring vegetables. Serve just below cellar temperature and give it 15–20 minutes in a decanter to let the aromatics open.

If you’ve been hunting for Puligny energy without Puligny pricing, here it is.

Try this and see.