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Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
Willamette Pinot Noir is one of the more exciting wines in the USA right now.
When most people think of Pinot Noir, they think of its ancestral home: Burgundy, France.When most people think of Pinot Noir, they think of its ancestral home: Burgundy, France.
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The region of Burgundy, France is famous for Pinot Noir for many reasons. The top 3 are:
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- The unique soil composition of the many tiny vineyard parcels.
- The cool climate.
- The long tradition of quality winemaking, stemming back from the Cistercian monks
Oregon’s Willamette Valley
The Willamette Valley is one of the most important regions for Pinot Noir in the USA.
Though consumers can find though quality Pinot Noir in Sonoma and other regions in N. California, wine experts agree that Willamette Valley is very close to Burgundy in terms of the expression of the grape.
Traditional Burgundian Winemaking Families Expanding to Willamette
In the last few decades, many traditional winemaking families from Burgundy have settled into Oregon’s Willamette Valley. They include Meo-Cazumet and Joseph Drouhin.
Both the Willamette Valley and Burgundy, France regions are on the 45th Parallel North…
…this is a circle of latitude that is 45 degrees north of the Earth’s equator.
When most people think of Pinot Noir, they think of its ancestral home: Burgundy, France.
When most people think of Pinot Noir, they think of its ancestral home: Burgundy, France.The cool climate is a common factor in both Burgundy and the Willamette Valley.
While the specific soils of Burgundy and Willamette are different, wW can trace their tapestries of soils to earthquakes, fires, volcanic eruptions, and more.
Both regions have soil types such as basalt (a result of lava flow), sandstone, marine sedimentary rock, and more.
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Oregon’s Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
In the 1970s, pioneering families thought of Oregon as a promising place to grow Pinot Noir.
Yet they faced more opposition.
Naysayers warned that the climate in the Willamette Valley was too cool to ripen the grapes
Naysayers warned that the climate in the Willamette Valley was too cool to ripen the grapesWillamette Valley Pinot Noir Pioneer Families
Despite this warning, several pioneer winemaking families flocked to Amity Hills, Dundee Hills, Chehalem Mountains, Yamhill, Carlton, and other prized areas in Oregon to plant vineyards.
The story of every Willamette family is different. Some pioneers received diplomas in oenology from UC Davis. One pioneer left a high-level engineering job creating amusement rides for Disneyland. Another pioneer was a Harvard-trained physician.
The pioneers included Jason Lett, Richard and Nancy Ponzi, Dick Erath, David and Ginny Adelsheim, Ronald and Marjorie Vuylsteke, Richard Sommer, Charles Coury, Susan Blosser and Bill Sokol (Sokol-Blosser), and others.
What attracted them was the cool climate, long growing season, and spectacular, diverse soils so important to Oregon Pinot.
Willamette Valley Pinot Noir Example : Campbell Family
Adam Campbell, now winemaker for his family’s Elk Cove Vineyards, shares a memory. In his childhood, he remembers his parents taking himself and his siblings from their comfortable, middle class home one day.
They drove miles to their new land in the Willamette Valley.
The family had to live in a trailer until they built the house. Meanwhile, they planted the vineyards.The family had to live in a trailer until they built the house. Meanwhile, they planted the vineyards.
The first vintage of Elk Grove Vineyards Pinot Noir was 1977. Within a decade, the wines would achieve national fame.
Willamette Valley : Sense of Community
Adam Campbell is still friends with the children of other families who settled in the Willamette Valley to grow Pinot Noir in the 1970s.
Recently Adam Campbell banded together with the Ponzi and Sokol-Blosser families to launch what they call The 2GV Project – 2nd Generation Vintners.
Valley Floor Pinot Noir : The 2GV Project
These Valley Pinot Noir families have joined to promote their wineries and the region. One of the most innovative is the International.
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Pinot Noir Celebration, of which Adam Campbell’s family are founders.
Willamette Valley Pinot Noir : The 1997 Inaugural Event
Adam was 17 at the first Pinot Noir Celebration. Now, as an adult, he recalls that it was a critical point in his life. He had just been a regular kid, helping out at the winery.
The Pinot Noir Celebration bought reporters from the international news and famous French vignerons.
Suddenly, his parents were celebrities and the Elk Grove Vineyard wines highly prized. Suddenly, his parents were celebrities and the Elk Grove Vineyard wines highly prized. At that moment, Adam finally understood how special his family’s vineyards really were.Willamette Valley Floor Pinot Noir : Elk Cove Vineyards Today
All members of the family are highly engaged with the winery and welcoming tourists.
On the Elk Cove website you will find many tasting experiences and tours available.
International Pinot Noir Celebration
It might be a great idea to time your visit to Willamette to coincide with the International Pinot Noir Celebration, which is usually held in late July. Then you can take advantage of all the special tasting events associated with this highly esteemed celebration.
Or you can time your visit to coincide with the Willamette Valley Wine Auction that takes place in early April and also has many “insider” events for lovers of Oregon Pinot Noir.
Willamette Valley Pinot Noir Auction
If you love Pinot Noir, you must love Willamette Valley Pinot Noir.
The 4th Annual Willamette Valley Pinot Noir Auction took place on April 5th and 6th, 2019 – 2020 was cancelled because of the COVID-19 health crisis.
Before the 4th Annual auction, Shirley Brooks, VP of Sales and Marketing of Elk Cove Vineyards, and Eugenia Keegan, Oregon General Manager of Jackson Family Wines, hosted a tasting and lunch for NYC wine writers.
The assembled guests, representing some top wine publications in the USA, enjoyed a glass of Elk Grove Pinot Gris 2017 as they settled in. More wines would follow.
History of Willamette Valley Pinot Noir Auction
In creating this trade-oriented auction, the region was hoping to raise awareness in the trade about the quality and age-ability of Pinot Noir.
Willamette Valley Pinot Noir Auction : Tour of the Region Through Its Wines
The tasting featured six red Pinot Noir wines from previous auctions, and a “collaborative” auction white wine, the 2016 “Nautical Dawn” Chardonnay, a joint effort between Bethel Heights & neighboring X Nova winery from the Ecola-Amity Hills AVA.
The six red wines all came from various years, with different weather, and expressed the varied terroir of the Willamette region.The six red wines all came from various years, with different weather, and expressed the varied terroir of the Willamette region.
For example, I could taste the sedimentary and volcanic soils in many of the wines, as the wines featured “black cherry” fruit instead of red, and also the texture of the tannins was a rougher grain – think “corduroy” instead of velvet or Satin.
Fun & Education Combine in the Willamette Valley Pinot Noir Auction
A major highlight of the Willamette Valley Pinot Noir Auction is the opportunity to taste the wines of the different Valley Pinot Noir producers and compare them to one another.
Also, the opportunity to taste each wine in a barrel.
Invitees can also attend seminars and other events designed to give prospective bidders an opportunity to visit the wineries and better understand the wines.
Valley Floor Pinot Noir Luncheon Wine Tasting
During the day’s tasting, it rather surprised me that all six of the Pinot Noir wines had only ten months maturation in oak.
I expressed curiosity about this point, since producers in Burgundy typically age their Pinot Noir for 12–18 months and longer.
It was explained that most producers like to keep more freshness and also more fruit. This is the reason they limit the maturation period to ten months.
Willamette Valley Pinot Noir Auction Wines Served
2011 Penner-Ash Wine Cellars Palmer Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir
– Bright acidity, silky tannins, red cherry, and pomegranate fruit. A very long finish.
2012 Elk Cove Vineyards Mt. Richmond Pinot Noir
– Racy acidity, velvet tannins, some raspberry tea and red cherry accent. A long length of finish.
2013 Bergstrom Wines Le Pre Du Col Vineyard Pinot Noir
– Bright acidity, corduroy-textured tannins, black fruit … from sedimentary soil.
2014 Zena Crown Vineyard “Barrel and Foot” Pinot Noir
– Vibrant acidity, corduroy-textured tannins, some fresh red rose aromas, black fruit, long length of finish.
2015 Adelsheim Vineyard “Block 3” Pinot Noir
– Vibrant acidity, satin tannins, very elegant with red/black cherry fruit. A long length of finish.
2016 Angela Estate “John F. Abbott” Pinot Noir
– restrained cherry fruit, bright acidity, and satin tannins in this elegant Pinot Noir wine.
Willamette Valley Pinot Noir Pairing with Coq Au Vin
Another surprise of the lunch was the decision to serve the Pinot Noir with Coq Au Vin.
I had expected Pacific Salmon, or even duck (its usual pairing in Burgundy).
Yet the Pinot Noirs showed very well with the Coq Au Vin. The 2016 “Nautical Dawn” Chardonnay paired very well too.
Valley Floor Pinot Noir : Learn More
You can learn more about the Willamette Valley Pinot Noir Auction here.
Willamette Valley Pinot Noir Auction : If You Go …
You will find a great deal of fun seminars, parties, tours, and tastings.
Willamette is a pretty casual place, yet it’s always good to pack a nice dress or jacket for special dinners.
Below is my checklist for any wine event.
It is likely and probably that the Willamette Valley folks will provide many of the items below – yet because they are so important, you might include this on your checklist.
- Bottled water
- Paper cups for expectoration or this handy device
- A notebook and pen
- Map of Willamette AVAs or PDF for your phone device
4.
Allow a few extra days before or after the winery, to go on the
Willamette Valley Pinot Noir Auction Venue: The Allison Inn and Spa
This is a lovely hotel nestled in the lush beauty of Oregon Wine Country’s Willamette Valley.
The hotel has a lot of repeat visitors, which says alot..
Willamette Valley Pinot Noir Auction : Know Before You Go
During the auction period, you will be busy with the many tasting and social events.
Yet it is IMPORTANT to schedule some free time for yourself. For example, the hotel has rooms featuring fireplaces and terraces or balconies.
Try to take advantage of the opportunity to open a bottle of wine outdoors, or just relax in front of the fireplace.
The fireplace and terrace/balcony option is one reason guests like this hotel so much …
The Spa
The Allison Inn also features a world class spa with an assortment of treatments available.
A “signature treatment” includes the Mimosa, a treatment that involves Champagne oil.
You can also find herbal infusions.
Willamette Valley Pinot Noir Auction : Garden and Picnic Opportunities
Be certain to schedule time for a walk through the extensive gardens.
You will find many areas for a picnic … the hotel can help you create the perfect feast to accompany your Willamette Pinot Noir.
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About Author Marisa D’Vari
D’Vari contributes to Forbes.com, Financial Times, World of Fine Wine, Quarterly Review of Wine, Decanter Robb Report, San Francisco Chronicle, South China Morning Post, and more.
She holds the (WSET) diploma, Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers, a Certified Wine Educator through the Society of Wine Educators … to see it all, please click on bio
Here’s a video from one of the last auctions
