Flâneur Wines’ La Belle Promenade Vineyard Emerges as World-Class Terroir as Their Chardonnay Wins Top Honors in Recreation of the Legendary Judgment of Paris
March 24, 2026 (Carlton, OR) — In a landmark achievement for Oregon wine, Flâneur Wines’ 2021 Bon Vivant Chardonnay from La Belle Promenade Vineyard has been named the top Chardonnay in the United States and the overall category at the “The 1976 Redo” competition, a historic recreation of the legendary 1976 Judgment of Paris that first put American wines on the world stage.
(Middle image from left to right: Jaime Cantu-Director of Vineyards, Marty Doerschalg-Owner, Anthony Sereni-Winemaker)
Five decades after California wines shocked the world in the original blind tasting, this victory establishes Oregon’s Chehalem Mountains AVA, within the greater Willamette Valley, as a premier terroir for world-class Chardonnay—and positions Flâneur Wines and La Belle Promenade Vineyard at the forefront of American wine excellence.
The original 1976 Judgment of Paris, depicted in the well known movie, Bottle Shock (2008), stands as perhaps the most significant event in American wine history. Organized by British wine merchant Steven Spurrier, the blind tasting pitted California wines against top French counterparts before an exclusively French panel of judges. When Château Montelena’s 1973 Chardonnay and Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars’ 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon triumphed over legendary French estates, it forever changed the global wine landscape. The victory not only established California on the world stage but marked a turning point for American wine, proving that exceptional wines could be produced beyond Europe’s historic appellations.
Recognition as the top Chardonnay in the competition, with Oregon now sharing the spotlight, marks a remarkable achievement for Flâneur Wines and underscores the continued evolution of American wine.
“This recognition validates the exceptional character of our La Belle Promenade Vineyard,” said Flâneur Wines’ Owner, Marty Doerschlag. “The volcanic basalt-based soils and high-elevation site, combined with the dedication of our in-house viticulture team, Jaime Cantu and Juan Corona, allow for a deeply intentional approach to farming—creating a landscape that is truly distinctive. This wine embodies our commitment to crafting terroir-driven wines with aromatic complexity and textural intrigue—wines to be enjoyed today yet structured to evolve beautifully over time.”
The 1976 Redo competition assembled hundreds of America’s finest wines through a rigorous blind tasting process, ultimately narrowing the field to the top five wines in each category. These finalists were then tasted alongside their French counterparts in a final blind evaluation. The competition pays homage to the original event that transformed the global wine landscape while showcasing the evolution and diversity of American winemaking in the decades since.
Flâneur’s celebrated 2021 Bon Vivant Chardonnay originates exclusively from the winery’s La Belle Promenade Vineyard in the Chehalem Mountains AVA within the greater Willamette Valley. Prior to its planting in 2014 by owner Marty Doerschlag, the site grew cherries, prunes, and blackberries, yet was long recognized for its potential to produce world-class wine.
The 40-acre vineyard is perched between 750 and 850 feet in elevation on the western slope of the Chehalem Mountains and rooted in basalt-based volcanic soils of varying depth across the site. Its undulating terrain provides diverse sun exposures, enhancing each block’s unique character, while the soil’s excellent water retention supports dry farming and balanced vine growth. Farmed in-house using organic principles, the vineyard yields wines that are plush and floral, grounded by vibrant acidity.
The Bon Vivant Chardonnay, as its name suggests, exists in a class of its own within the Flâneur portfolio.
“Each year, as we move through the cellar, certain barrels begin to distinguish themselves,” said Anthony Sereni, Flâneur’s Winemaker. “Whether it’s their depth and richness or their precision and mineral character, they naturally draw our attention. As we return to these selections, the blend starts to reveal itself. The Bon Vivant Chardonnay ultimately is our yearly masterstroke—our most complex and layered expression of Chardonnay.”
The Bon Vivant designation represents Flâneur’s most prestigious Chardonnay bottling, alongside its companion Bon Vivant Pinot Noir—crafted from 100% whole-cluster fermentation from La Belle Promenade—and the Bon Vivant Sparkling Pinot Meunier, completing this elite collection. These limited-production wines are primarily allocated to Flâneur Wine Club members, offering exclusive access to the winery’s finest expressions.
The 2021 Bon Vivant Chardonnay opens with aromas of yellow orchard fruit, ripe Meyer lemon, and citrus blossom. On the palate, lemon curd and fresh crushed gravel bring added intrigue. Native yeast fermentation, whole-cluster pressing, and 100% new French and Austrian oak complement the vineyard’s volcanic soils, creating a balance where the true expression of place shines. With impressive tension, generous texture, and an elegant, lingering finish, the wine exemplifies the harmony of power and precision that defines La Belle Promenade Vineyard.
“The name ‘flâneur’ represents a mindful observer—someone who takes the time to appreciate the beauty of the world,” said Marty Doerschlag, Owner and Founder of Flâneur Wines. “This philosophy guides everything we do—from our vineyard practices to our winemaking to the experiences we create. To be recognized among America’s finest Chardonnays affirms our belief in the potential of Oregon’s Chehalem Mountains. We’re honored that this esteemed panel recognized what makes our wines distinctive, and proud to represent the Willamette Valley in this historic moment.”
The 2021 Bon Vivant Chardonnay is available for $95 per bottle, with extremely limited inventory remaining.. Typically a member exclusive bottling, the 2021 Bon Vivant Chardonnay is available to all buyers while inventory lasts on an allocation basis in celebration of the accolade. The wine can be purchased directly on their website at https://www.flaneurwines.com/product/2021-bon-vivant-chardonnay. For assistance purchasing, call or text their tasting room at 503-899-4120 or email them directly.
The winery currently has openings in two of its three membership tiers—the Flâneur Club and the Connoisseur of Life Club—while the top-tier Bon Vivant Club maintains a waiting list. Those interested may join online at https://www.flaneurwines.com/membership/ or contact the winery directly.
To celebrate this milestone, Flâneur will host a series of special events at its historic Carlton Grain Elevator Tasting Room and at La Belle Promenade Vineyard, inviting guests and members to share in this recognition.
Beyond the Bon Vivant Chardonnay, La Belle Promenade Vineyard serves as the foundation for much of Flâneur’s portfolio, including vineyard-designated, La Belle Promenade Chardonnay and La Belle Promenade Pinot Noir, as well as the Cuvée Constantin Chardonnay. Wine club members also have access to Rivoli, a barrel-select Pinot Noir from the estate along with the Bon Vivant Pinot Noir, a 100% whole-cluster expression of the site. The estate also supports Flâneur’s sparkling program, including an Extra Brut traditional method blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier, along with limited bottlings of Pinot Meunier, Aligoté, Grüner Veltliner, and Gamay Noir.
Flâneur’s second estate site, Flânerie Vineyard in the Ribbon Ridge AVA, further expands the portfolio with vineyard-designated wines that highlight the diversity of the Willamette Valley.
Guests are invited to experience Flâneur Wines through curated tastings at their restored Grain Elevator Tasting Room in Carlton, Oregon, or at La Belle Promenade Vineyard—the origin of this award-winning wine—for an immersive experience among the vines. Reservations are available at https://www.flaneurwines.com/visit/.
About The 1976 Redo Competition
The 1976 Redo is a historic recreation of the original Judgment of Paris that revolutionized the wine world when California wines triumphed over their French counterparts in a blind tasting. This modern competition brings together hundreds of America’s finest wines in a comprehensive evaluation of how American winemaking has evolved and excelled in the five decades since the original event. Through a rigorous selection process, the competition identifies the standard-bearers for contemporary American wine excellence.
Coordinators of The 1976 Redo include:
Patrick Cappiello, Josh Entman, Vanessa Price and Ryan Mills-Knapp.
Learn more about The 1976 Redo at:
Website: https://www.the76redo.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the76redo/
Flaneur:
2021 Flaneur Bon Vivant Chardonnay: https://www.flaneurwines.com/product/2021-bon-vivant-chardonnay
Flaneur Media Kit: https://www.flaneurwines.com/1976-redo/
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