The Art of Elevage

Elevage: the raising of a wine, from grape to bottle.

At Chimney Rock, “elevage” is the French word for raising a wine, much as one would raise a child. This trio shows that craft in three forms: a rosé, a barrel-fermented white blend, and the proprietary red that gave the idea its name. Together they make a gift for the wine lover who values patient winemaking, and they arrive in a 3-bottle gift box.

2024 Rosé
A fresh, dry-style opener from Chimney Rock.

2024 Elevage Blanc | 94 points, Jeb Dunnuck
Anthony Terlato Sr. asked the winemaking team in 2002 for a white wine of the same caliber as Elevage, the winery’s proprietary red. The result is a blend of 64% Sauvignon Gris and 36% Sauvignon Blanc, modeled on the great white wines of Bordeaux. Apricot and white peach, with lemon curd, brioche, and a touch of guava. It is full-bodied and opulent, with a round mid-palate and a long, bright finish. It’s barrel fermented and aged 6 months. Wine Spectator gave it 91 points. Chimney Rock calls it the white wine for the red wine drinker.

2023 Elevage Proprietary Red | 95 points, Jeb Dunnuck
50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot, and 2% Cabernet Franc, from the Stags Leap District. Blackberry and cassis, with graphite, cedar, and savory herbs. Full-bodied and elegant, with polished tannins and a silky finish. It was aged 18 months in French oak, 90% of it new. Winemaker Elizabeth Vianna calls Elevage one of the winery’s most sensual wines, a fireplace red, soft and silky.

Wine gift sets will start shipping the first week of December.