The Willia Creek Willamette Chardonnay 2023 is a $12.99 Trader Joe’s wine. The Willia Creek Cellars trademark is held by Precept Wine & Spirits.
The Story
The back label shows this Chardonnay was ” produced and bottled by” Willia Creek Cellars of Dundee, Oregon.
Produced and bottled by indicates the aforementioned winery may not have grown the grapes, but 75% of the grapes were crushed, fermented, aged, and bottled by the winery. Up to 25% of the juice can come from another source.
Willia Creek Cellars is a brand under the control of Precept Wine, at least they hold the trademark. I could not find any mention of Willia Creek on the web.
I checked the California Wine COLA registry and didn’t find a mention. The trademark registry showed the Trademark was granted in October of 2025. The 2023 vintage was produced by a company that didn’t exist until a couple of weeks ago (10/25). Wine labeling is intentionally confusing.
The Willia Creek Willamette Chardonnay 2023 is fermented and aged in stainless steel and sees no oak conditioning.
The Willamette Valley is renowned for Pinot Noir, and typically, outstanding Pinot Noir regions also make excellent Chardonnay. For years, the White wine of Willamette was Pinot Gris, not Chardonnay. Pinot Gris is Pinot Grigio made in the French style.
Chardonnay was not showing well until it was determined that the California Chardonnay that was planted was not well-suited; they eventually switched to a French Burgundian clone, and that has solved the issue.
The alcohol content is 13.1%.
The Willia Creek Willamette Chardonnay 2023 Tasting Notes
The color is almost clear but with a golden glow. The nose is lemon, apple, melon, peach, soft spice, and lightly floral. The Willia Creek Willamette Chardonnay 2023 is crisp and flavorful. Keep this wine in mind for the Thanksgiving meal.
This Chardonnay tastes like lemon, spice, Green apple, ripe pear, a tropical fruit, and tart citrus. There is a tasty mix of fruit and tart flavors.
The acidity does its job well, giving this Chardonnay good length.
The Summary
- The Willia Creek Willamette Chardonnay 2023 is an excellent Chardonnay.
- It tastes expensive, but it is only $12.99.
- This is a wine well worth giving a try.
