Yamhill Valley Vineyard

Yamhill Valley Vineyards is just a short, picturesque drive from Martin Woods Winery within the McMinnville AVA. Our select Fromage Block sits on a 20% south-facing slope in the direct path of the marine air deriving from the Van Duzer gap.

Winemaker Evan Martin takes a few minutes during the early morning Chardonnay pick of 2024 to stand in the rows of his Fromage Block and talk about the terroir of YVV and the classic wine Martin Woods produces from this prized site.

The Terroir:

Yamhill Valley Vineyard - Chardonnay

Yamhill Valley Vineyard is positioned within the McMinnville ava in the foothills of the Coast Range, along the edge of the Van Duzer Corridor—the "air-conditioning" pathway through the Coast Range where cool marine air pours in from the ocean 30 miles away. The cooling winds and cool mountain air translate to Chardonnay with refreshing, intense qualities. The shallow volcanic soils and steep, south-facing slope of the Fromage and Hilltop blocks have little water-holding capacity, causing stress to the vines and resulting in sparse canopies and loose clusters of unusually small, sun-kissed, thick-skinned chardonnay berries, giving tremendous depth and texture to the wine. Our goal for Chardonnay is to achieve a tension between expressive fruit, vibrant acidity, and subtle yet complex aromas. This exceptional block of vines offers a balance of depth, breadth, and focus that amazes us every year.

The Wine

Yamhill Valley Vineyard Chardonnay

AVA: McMinnville

Elevation, Aspect: 340-450 ft, south-facing 20% slope

Soil: Dixonville, Gellatly, Witzel (volcanic basalt)

Vine Age: Planted 2003

Clonal Selection: Intermixed clones Dijon 76 and 95