“This is the first time we have made a Late Harvest Chenin Blanc. We are passionate about dessert wines at Chateau Ste. Michelle and enjoyed experimenting with a Late Harvest wine made from Chenin Blanc grapes. This complex wine exhibits aromas and flavors of honeydew, lime and orange marmalade. The palate is balanced with sweet fruit and natural acidity with a smooth finish.”
-Bob Bertheau, Head Winemaker
Our Horse Heaven Vineyard is located adjacent to the Columbia River and therefore enjoys early-morning humidity and moderate daytime temperatures in which Botrytis cinerea thrives.
The vineyard’s Chenin Blanc vines produced very low yields of 2.5 tons per acre.
Select Chenin Blanc grapes were left hanging on the vine until early November, to achieve the natural condition of Botrytis required for making this exceptional wine. Only clusters containing Botrytis were carefully hand-selected.
