Tasting with winemaker Chris Sherry he talked about the new wines. “I really like the direction we are going with zero dosage. There is no need to add any, Washington is already warm as it is” he explained. Year after year these wines continue to be some of the best bubbles you will taste in Washington State. Sherry is now making a beautiful wine alongside winemaker Travis Allen of Kobayashi fame. They share a tasting room in Woodinville that is a larger space than they had previously.
Elentone winemaker Chris Sherry hails from Brighton in southern England. A passionate Brighton football supporter, he shares the same passion for sparkling wines. He has formerly trained under Morgan Lee at Two Vintners.
Wines now are made in the tranditional method with generally zero dosage. He is making wines from one of the outstanding sites in the Columbia Gorge, the Rainmaker Vineyard that Jeff Lindsay-Thorsen of W.T. Vintners has made famous. Sherry’s wines are salty with a soft mousse and very approachable. Bubbles are refined and sleek in these wines.
I love the new 2022 Elentone ‘Noa Blanc de Blancs’ Sparkling Wine (OB, 93) which has great lees character and a refined mousse. Learn more about these beautiful wines at elentone.com and here are the outstanding new wines by Elentone.
2022 Elentone ‘Noa Blanc de Blancs’ Sparking Wine- A blend of Chardonnay with 33% Pinot Blanc, this was given zero dosage. This was in barrel for ten months and then was stored on the lees for three years before disgorgement (May 2026). This is nicely viscous with dense melon and citrus fruits alongside loads of salty minerals. The soft mousse really entices, as this is best enjoyed over the next ten years. Drink 2026-2036- 93
2018 Elentone ‘Singer’ Sparkling Wine- The 2018 ‘Singer’ was aged for a whopping 7 years on the lees, as this is all Pinot Noir from the Rainmaker Vineyard in the Columbia Gorge AVA. A very lightly colored salmon hue, this opens with red rose petals and potpourri notes alongside shades of tangerine peel on the nose. The palate is dense and rich with terrific texture and minerality. With more air this shows nutty and hay nuances in the glass. Enjoy now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2026-2034- 94
2020 Elentone ‘Cloudbursting’ Sparkling Wine-Now in its third iteration, the 2020 ‘Cloudbursting; combines 83% Chardonnay with the remainder Pinot Noir all sourced from the Clos Cheval Vineyard. Stored on the lees for five years. Brioche and shades of cardamom dusted peach all come together with starfruit notes on the nose. The palate is dense and rich with serious refinement and texture. A glorious wine from 2020, enjoy now and over the next ten years to come. Drink 2026-2036- 94