Established in 2014, The Setting is a collection of luxury wines created by three friends: Jeff Cova, Noah McMahon and winemaker Jesse Katz. Jesse’s experience spans 19 harvests at internationally acclaimed wineries such as Chateau Petrus, Robert Foley, and was a part of the winemaking team at Screaming Eagle. The Setting Wines is a culmination of relationships spanning decades from Napa to Sonoma County to Willamette Valley, sourcing from some of the most prestigious vineyards the regions have to offer. Recently, Jesse was named Wine Enthusiast’s Global Winemaker of the Year for 2025.

The historic Chehalem Mountain Vineyard was planted in 1968 by Dick Erath, who founded Erath Winery in the Dundee Hills, and was an early Oregon Pinot Noir grower. The Chehalem Mountains AVA is a single uplifted landmass southwest of Portland in the northern Willamette Valley, stretching from southeast to northwest. It is the geography and climate that differentiate this AVA from others. The important hillside soil types are represented; basaltic, ocean sedimentary and loess (blown lake bed sediment), the latter of which is the predominant soil on the northern face of the Chehalem Mountains.

The 2022 vintage on the nose is enticingly rich, unfolding with ripe yellow plum, baked pear, and crushed hazelnut, accented by delicate hints of honeysuckle and sea breeze. As it evolves in the glass, warm spice notes emerge, adding further intrigue. On the palate, this Chardonnay is both precise and opulent, delivering a balance of vibrant acidity and a creamy, mineral-driven texture. Flavors of golden apple and toasted brioche intertwine, while a subtle saline edge enhances its layered profile. The finish is long, resonant, and layered.