Elouan Chardonnay

Elouan Chardonnay is a full-bodied, 100% Chardonnay from Oregon aged 14 months in French oak, bottled at approximately 14.2% ABV in a 750ml bottle. What distinguishes this expression is its unique cross-state production: Oregon-grown grapes are whole-cluster pressed and fermented using native yeast at a California facility, resulting in a rich, lees-driven style praised by The Tasting Panel as "mouth-filling and unctuous, with a fine sapidity."

Quick Facts: ABV: ~14.2%  |  Origin: Oregon, USA  |  Style: Full-Bodied, Oak-Aged  |  Producer: Copper Cane Wines and Provisions (Stoller Wine Group)

Production & Heritage

Elouan was founded by winemaker Joe Wagner under Copper Cane Wines and Provisions, with ownership transferring to Stoller Wine Group in 2025. The Chardonnay grapes are sourced from three distinct terrains along Oregon's premier western vineyards, then transported to California for vinification — a practice that sets Elouan apart from traditional Oregon producers. After whole-cluster pressing for delicate extraction, the juice cold-settles for 36 hours before undergoing native yeast fermentation in 70% new French oak and 30% once-used French oak barrels. Full malolactic fermentation follows, and the wine rests on fine lees for 14 months with bi-weekly stirring, building the creamy, textured mouthfeel that defines the bottling.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with ripe pear and citrus blossom, moving into layers of buttered popcorn and apricot. Subtle violet and lemongrass notes emerge as the wine opens in the glass.

Taste: The entry is bright with lemon curd and tropical fruit, broadening at the mid-palate into poached pear, toasted walnut, and nectarine. Full malolactic fermentation and extended lees contact deliver a smooth, creamy mouthfeel with marzipan and vanilla undertones, while modest acidity keeps the richness in check.

Finish: The finish is clean and well-balanced, carrying soft butter and lemon shortbread flavors that taper gradually. A faint honeydew sweetness and trace of warm oak linger pleasantly.

How to Drink Elouan Chardonnay

This wine is best served slightly chilled, around 50–55°F, to let its oak-driven richness and fruit layers express fully. It drinks beautifully on its own but also holds up well in food-friendly contexts. For cocktails and wine-based drinks: a White Wine Spritzer highlights its citrus aromatics with minimal dilution; a Chardonnay Sangria with stone fruits and fresh mint plays into its apricot and nectarine character; and a French 75 riff using Elouan in place of sparkling wine adds body and buttery depth to the classic template.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners featuring roast chicken or pasta in cream sauce
• Gifting a Chardonnay lover who enjoys rich, oak-aged styles
• Hosting a wine-and-cheese evening with soft, bloomy-rind cheeses
• Exploring Oregon Chardonnay beyond the lean, unoaked end of the spectrum

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Elouan Chardonnay taste like? Elouan Chardonnay is a rich, full-bodied white wine with prominent flavors of ripe pear, lemon curd, marzipan, and toasted walnut, backed by a creamy, smooth mouthfeel from 14 months of lees aging in French oak.

How does Elouan Chardonnay compare to Meiomi Chardonnay? Both brands were created by winemaker Joe Wagner and share a crowd-friendly, full-bodied approach, but Elouan sources exclusively from Oregon while Meiomi draws from California appellations. Elouan's 14-month aging in predominantly new French oak with native yeast fermentation tends to yield a more texturally driven, lees-influenced profile compared to Meiomi's approachable fruit-forward style.

Is Elouan Chardonnay good for sipping neat? Yes — its creamy mouthfeel, layered oak character, and balanced acidity make it a satisfying glass on its own, especially when served lightly chilled to around 50–55°F.

Where is Elouan Chardonnay made? The grapes are grown across three distinct vineyard areas along Oregon's western wine regions, then transported to California where fermentation and aging take place under Copper Cane Wines and Provisions, now part of Stoller Wine Group.

What foods pair well with Elouan Chardonnay? Roast chicken or turkey benefits from the wine's buttery weight; lobster or crab in drawn butter mirrors its richness; mushroom risotto complements its earthy oak tones; aged Gruyère echoes its toasted-nut character; and pear tart aligns with the wine's core fruit profile.

What sizes does Elouan Chardonnay come in? Elouan Chardonnay is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Elouan Chardonnay worth the price? Elouan positions as a mid-range Oregon Chardonnay, and its 14-month French oak aging program with native yeast fermentation and extended lees contact delivers a level of textural complexity that competes well against bottles at higher price points in the category.

Why Elouan Chardonnay?

Few Oregon Chardonnays at this price tier undergo 14 months of aging on fine lees in predominantly new French oak with bi-weekly stirring — a regimen more commonly associated with premium Burgundy production. The cross-state model of sourcing Oregon fruit and vinifying in California gives the winemaking team access to both cool-climate grape character and well-equipped cellar resources. The Tasting Panel highlighted the wine's "marzipan, lemon curd, and vanilla" notes alongside its unctuous texture, confirming that the production investment translates directly into the glass. For drinkers who want full-bodied, oak-aged Chardonnay with genuine Oregon provenance, Elouan delivers a distinctive proposition that sits apart from both restrained Willamette Valley whites and mainstream California bottlings.