Thomas Bachelder, the reputed winemaker, is known for the Bachelder Project. As part of this project, he wanted to explore the cultivation of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in the world’s three unique cold-climate regions – Oregon, Niagara and Burgundy. Therefore, he set up cellars in all these three places and creates wines that are true representations of the grapes grown on the specific soil and climate of these three places.
Oregon
In Oregon, Thomas Bachelder has set up a winery and cellar where he cultivates Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The fruits grown in this area are known for their high mineral content because the soil has both Sandstone and Volcanic strata in it. The wines crafted here are Willamette Valley Chardonnay, Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, Johnson Vineyard Chardonnay and Johnson Vineyard Pinot Noir.
Niagara
The Niagara area in Canada is a peninsula that is known for its micro-climate and the abundance of dolomitic limestone. The soil here is rich in clay content and this makes the grapes cultivated here quite aromatic. It is an escarpment where the famous Niagara Falls is located that the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grape varietals are grown as well. Some popular wines crafted in the cellars here are Wismer Vineyard Chardonnay, Niagara Chardonnay, Saunders Vineyard Chardonnay, Lowrey Vineyard Pinot Noir and more.
Burgundy
This is the home of the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grape varietals. Bachelder grows these grapes in a site that he has chosen specifically because of its abundance of limestone content. The vineyards are located in the area between Dijon to Chalon. The vineyards are located at places with unique soil quality such as Nuits St. George, Beaune and Puligny-Montrachet. The wines crafted here include the Bourgogne Blanc, Cote de Nuits-Villages La Montagne and Nuits Charmotte.
Though the terroirs are different, the winemaking techniques in each of these areas are very natural and deeply attached to the environment there.
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