Oregon Archives - AWINESTORY.COM https://awinestory.com/category/regions/usa-regions/oregon-usa-regions-regions/ Learn Wine Fast! Sat, 14 Aug 2021 05:41:28 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.3 /files/2016/01/cropped-wine-glass-fav-100x100.jpg Oregon Archives - AWINESTORY.COM https://awinestory.com/category/regions/usa-regions/oregon-usa-regions-regions/ 32 32 Umpqua Valley Oregon https://awinestory.com/umpqua-valley-oregon/ Sat, 14 Aug 2021 04:25:33 +0000 https://awinestory.com/STAGING/?p=27686 Umpqua Valley Oregon: Spangler Vineyards Umpqua Valley Oregon produces excellent wine. Pat Spangler, a former floor trader on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, turned a dilapidated Oregon winery into one of the best around: Spangler Vineyards While searching extensively for his dream small family-owned winery, Pat Spangler fell in love with Southern Oregon. The warm weather […]

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Spangler

Umpqua Valley Oregon produces excellent wine.

Pat Spangler, a former floor trader on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, turned a dilapidated Oregon winery into one of the best around: Spangler Vineyards

While searching extensively for his dream small family-owned winery, Pat Spangler fell in love with Southern Oregon. The warm weather and multiple microclimates allowed him to pursue his passion for Bordeaux-varietal wines.

This the location is extremely conducive to growing Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.

The beautiful landscape of the Hundred Valleys of the Umpqua is a joy to view each and every day, and the warm, close-knit community convinced Pat that Roseburg would his new home.

Featuring a full variety of wines with a focus on big, bold reds. They craft reserve-quality Bordeaux varietals Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot, as well as some Rhone favorites such as Syrah, Petite Sirah and Viognier … and a lovely unoaked Chardonnay.

Umpqua Valley Oregon: Abacela Winery

Abacela

Abacela – What’s in a Name?

Located in Umpqua Valley Oregon, Abacela epitomizes adventurousness, entrepreneurism, research, hard work and a dash of luck. Early in their adventure, in a reference library in Bilbao Spain, Earl was attempting to locate a village named Abalos in what he thought was an old atlas, but the tome was actually an old Spanish dictionary.  A word caught his eye: “Abacelar”, a verb that meant “to plant a grape vine.” Earl jotted the definition on an index card. Years later, as the vineyard dream inched towards reality, he fished out the note. The word “abacelar” originated from the western Latin spoken in the Iberian Peninsula and pre-dates modern Castilian Spanish. Today in Spain the word is still used only in the western provinces, especially Galicia and in neighboring Portugal. Its third-person conjugation “abacela” means “he/she/they plant a vine”. It was too fine a gift to ignore. In 1994, after an international search the Joneses decided this interesting word so elegantly encapsulated their project that they trademarked Abacela and registered it in Oregon as their business name although it would be three years before they would produce America’s first varietal Tempranillo.

Abacela: The Story

Abacela is a world-class, multi-award-winning winery and viticulture success story. But in 1995 when founders Earl and Hilda Jones planted its first vines they had no way of knowing what the outcome would be. They were scientists with zero winemaking experience who left secure careers and trekked 2700 miles west, kids in tow, to determine if fine Tempranillo wine could be grown and produced in Oregon’s Umpqua Valley. Earl and Hilda probably weren’t the first enophiles to wonder why the great grape of Spain’s famous Rioja wines was mysteriously absent from American fine wine. However, they were the first to approach the question with scientific rigor, form a hypothesis, then devote their lives to testing it. This is the story of how one ordinary family’s curiosity and determination transformed their lives, built one of Oregon’s best-loved wineries and influenced winegrowing not only in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest but across America.

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Wine Resources

Why Tempranillo?

Abacela Tempranillo

In the late 1960s, while Earl was a resident physician at UCSF, Mike Bosco of Lucca Delicatessen on San Francisco’s Chestnut Street introduced him to Spanish red wines; Napa Cabernets were $2.50 a bottle and on a student’s budget the discounted Riojas at $0.88/bottle were a bargain.

Their aromas and flavors paired well with the foods Earl enjoyed and he was hooked. As time went by and disposable income permitted better Riojas his bonding with these fine wines grew stronger.

Travels to Europe for scientific meetings broadened his red wine horizon and Earl puzzled at why different regions grew different grapes and what determined the taste of these wines.

At some point he learned that Tempranillo was one of the most planted grapes in the world and that it had actually been grown in California since 1888 but the wine was of low quality, was declassified and used for blending or distilled for its alcohol content.

“California did not produce Tempranillo as a varietal wine for the consumer. Why not?”

  There were various ideas, inappropriate soil, an unknown biotic agent, others said it was not a good grape and in 1963 UC Davis discontinued research and recommended the grape not be further planted in California. But given its success in Spain these explanations seemed shallow. It was at this juncture that Earl tasted  Alejandro Fernández’s Bodegas Tinto Pesquera, 1982 Janus Reserve and concluded fine Tempranillo could indeed be grown in the Spain’s Duero river valley. This location was 150 miles from Rioja so why then was it not possible in America? The disparity was an enigma worth investigating.

Umpqua Valley Oregon: Delfino Vineyards

Delfino vineyards

 Located in Umpqua Valley Oregon,   Delfino Vineyards is a family-owned boutique winery nestled amidst 160 picturesque acres of vineyards of Tempranillo, Syrah, Zinfandel, Cabernet, Dolcetto, Merlot and Müller Thurgau grapes.

The rocky hillsides of our vineyards are warmed by the setting sun and produce quality grapes that deliver wines of unique character and perfect balance.

Their tasting room reflects the warmth of a Tuscan sunset as it overlooks our beautiful vineyard, lake and mountain views. An inviting setting to sample our estate-grown award winning wine. 

You might be interested in:

Oregon Valley Wineries

Umpqua Valley Wines

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]]> Umpqua Valley Wineries https://awinestory.com/umpqua-valley-wineries/ Sat, 14 Aug 2021 03:51:47 +0000 https://awinestory.com/STAGING/?p=27569 Umpqua Valley Wineries Umpqua Valley wineries come from the most diverse winegrowing region of Oregon. Spanning 40 miles in width and 60 miles in length, the Umpqua Valley AVA sits south of the Willamette Valley AVA and north of the Rogue Valley AVA. The Umpqua Valley has been growing wine grapes since 1934, making the […]

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Umpqua Valley wineries come from the most diverse winegrowing region of Oregon.

Spanning 40 miles in width and 60 miles in length, the Umpqua Valley AVA sits south of the Willamette Valley AVA and north of the Rogue Valley AVA.

The Umpqua Valley has been growing wine grapes since 1934, making the region the oldest continuously producing wine region in the Pacific Northwest.

Umpqua Valley wineries now number 27, though the figure changes every few years.  

In 1961 Richard Somers of Hillcrest Winery was the first to plant pinot noir, which has grown to become the signature grape of Oregon.

In 1969 Umpqua Valley winery pioneers established the first Oregon wine trade organization, which has now evolved into the statewide Oregon Winegrowers Association.

Umpqua Valley wineries can successfully grow both cool and warm varieties. It’s comprised of three distinct climatic sub-zones: 

1) The northern area around the town of Elkton enjoys a cool, marine-influenced climate. It receives around 50 inches of annual rainfall, making irrigation unnecessary. Pinot noir, riesling and gewurztraminer were first planted there in 1972.

2) The central area to the northwest of Roseburg has a transitional, or intermediate, climate where both cool and warm varieties do quite well. 

3) The area south of Roseburg is warmer and more arid with 24 annual inches of rainfall, making irrigation necessary.

Warm-climate varieties, including tempranillo, syrah, albarino, and merlot thrive here.

Locals like to claim that you can travel from Alsace through the Rhone to Rioja in less than one hour in the Umpqua Valley.  And from my three days in the region it is certainly true

Umpqua Valley Wineries: Meadows Estate

In our tour of Umpqua Valley wineries,  Meadows Estate offers a great variety of red wines, from pinot noir to Rhone varieties.

This family owned winery was formally known as MarshAnne Landing Winery. It is located in the heart of the Umpqua Valley in Southern Oregon, just 20 minutes north of Roseburg and 3 miles off I-5.

Native Amerians used it as a winter basecamp. Later it becamea stage coach stop between Portland and San Francisco.

Their goal is to continue the Cramer legacy of producing flavorful “Out of This World Wines” from fruit meticulously grown and freshly harvested from our own 17 Acre vineyard.

Their grapes are varietals traditionally grown in the Rhone and Bordeaux regions of France. Popular varietals include, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Viognier, Tempranillo and Chardonnay to name a few.

Meadows Estate Tasting room

MarshAnne Landing was the vision of Greg and Francis Cramer that began in 1996 with the purchase of a cattle ranch in the Umpqua Valley.

It’s a region similar to the Rhone Valley of France.

In the Spring of 1999, 12,000 grafted vines were delivered to a planting team of 17 friends who came from across the country to help the Cramer’s launch their dream, planting 10 varieties on 14 acres.

New owners Dexter and Marilyn Meadow let passion lead them to MarshAnne Landing. 

Today, as Meadows Estates Vineyard and Winery takes possession from MarshAnne Landing it has expanded to 17 acres of vines.

Through planned events, workshops, tasting room, onsite lodging, wedding venue, vineyard and grounds tours, Meadows Estates presents rich history and local traditions!

 

Brandburg Vineyards and Winery

Brandborg Vineyard and Winery

 Bradley Vineyards

Next we headed over to Elkton where pinot noir, riesling and gewurztraminer were first planted in 1972 for stops at Brandborg Vineyard and Winery and Bradley Vineyards . Elkton is only 35 miles from the coast and the gap in the Coast Range facilitates a very strong marine influence.

Brandborg Vineyard & Winery grows and produces distinct, elegant Pinot noir and Alsace inspired white wines with pure varietal expression

Terry and Sue Brandborg began their search for a cool, coastal climate terroir that would produce harmonious, distinct wines.

Their journey of discovery led them to Elkton, Oregon, in Oregon’s Umpqua Valley. With passion and a steadfast belief in the quality of their chosen site, they planted the first 5 acres of pinot noir, only the beginning of an eventual 50 acres of vines.

This spectacular property rises to 1100 feet with a direct sightline to the Umpqua River and the Oregon coast range.  

Brandborg Barrels

The Brandborgs have built a functional winery with a beautiful spacious tasting room in charming Eltkon. Both are self-taught in winemaking and grape growing and after 40 vintages remain committed to continued learning and growth.

A stubborn focus on detail and an uncompromising, do it yourself, hands on approach has resulted in harmonious wines made for the table, praised by customers and critics alike. 

 

Elkton Oregon AVA – Unique Winegrowing Region in Oregon’s South Central Foothills

The Umpqua Valley has 3000 planted acres, with pinot noir the most planted variety. Lying within the Umpqua Valley is the Elkton Oregon AVA (American viticultural area).

It was officially designated in 2013 as a means to differentiate this area from the much warmer microclimates characteristic of most of southern Oregon.

Elkton lies just 36 miles inland from the Pacific. There is a very long frost free growing season, with cool temperate conditions lasting until late fall. The average July and August high temperatures are only 83F. This all results in grapes that can hang on the vine longer, developing truly complex flavors.

Bradley Vineyards

Bradley Vineyards is a 2nd generation vineyard and winery, owned and operated by the Bradley family.

With over 20 acres of Pinot Noir, Riesling, Gewurztraminer and Baco Noir grapes mostly planted in 1983, Bradley is the largest grape producer in the Elkton Oregon AVA.

They sell most of their fruit to other winemakers and keep the finest estate grown grapes for their boutique label.

Bradley Vineyards was founded in 1983 by brothers John and Richard Bradley.

With the helping hands of family and friends, over 20 acres of Pinot Noir, Gewurtztraminer and Riesling grapes were planted in the South and West facing hills of Elkton, Oregon.

For the first 17 years, John developed as a viticulturist, and sold the entirety of his crop to wineries around the state of Oregon.

But when friends Mike and Vonnie Landt moved to town and built their winery, River’s Edge, a partnership began allowing John to start producing a small amount of wine under the Bradley Vineyards label.

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Wine Resources

Triple Oak Wine Vineyards 

Triple Oak Wine Vineyard

Presenting her wine along with the Meadow family was Betty Tamm,  owner of Triple Oak Wine Vault. 

Betty and her late husband Paul planted the vineyard in 2000. After his passing in 2013, Betty continued the winery situated in the historic community of Oakland. 

She showcases her wines in a tasting room in Oakland’s small town.Triple Oak has won awards for Tempranillo and other Spanish varieties. Pinot Gris and Gerwurztraminer also feature on the list. 

Today Betty Tamm works with her new husband Geoffrey Faraghan.

Betty Tam

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]]> Columbia Gorge Wineries https://awinestory.com/columbia-gorge-mount-hood-ava/ Thu, 12 Aug 2021 03:13:37 +0000 https://awinestory.com/STAGING/?p=27826 Columbia Gorge Wineries Columbia George & Mount Hood AVA was one of the highlights of the trip. Twelve lucky Wine Media Conference participants made their way to this unique wine growing region. The Oregon Wine Board arranged the fabulous winery visits and suggested the group hotel, overlooking the Gorge. Columbia Gorge & Mount Hood AVA […]

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Columbia Gorge

Columbia George & Mount Hood AVA was one of the highlights of the trip.

Twelve lucky Wine Media Conference participants made their way to this unique wine growing region.

The Oregon Wine Board arranged the fabulous winery visits and suggested the group hotel, overlooking the Gorge.

Columbia Gorge & Mount Hood AVA

Our Group

Our first stop on the Columbia Gorge & Mount Hood AVA trip for the Wine Media Conference 2021 was the Timberline Lodge.   

This is located high on the slopes of Mount Hood.

At 11,249 feet in elevation, it is Oregon’s highest mountain.

Built in 1937 to give travelers and adventurers a convenient lodging, the lodge still serves skiers, mountain climbers, and hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail running past the lodge.

As a fun treat, we enjoyed delicious sandwiches, charcuterie, cheeses, on the bus before stopping at a nearby park for a wine tasting by several Columbia Gorge sparkling wine producers.

From Columbia Gorge we headed headed toward Stave & Stone Winery for a tasting of their wine – and the wine of neighboring property Wy’East Vineyards. Wy’East is the indigenous name for Mount Hood.

These two wineries shared some of the best Pinot Noir outside of Burgundy.

Phelps Creek Vineyard

Phelps Creek owners, Bob and Lynette, invited to their home for a beautiful dinner in their home at the top of the vineyard.

Joining Phelps Creek were the owners of Cathedral Ridge.

Columbia Gorge History

The Columbia Gorge AVA, established in 2004, comprises vineyard lands on both sides of the Columbia River, in both Oregon and Washington.

The Columbia River, the largest river in the Pacific Northwest, is famous as the transportation mode for the Lewis & Clark expedition as it finished its final leg of travel to the Pacific Ocean.

More recently, the region became well known for Bridge of the Gods where author Cheryl Strayed finished her Pacific Crest Trail journey in Wild, depicted by Reese Witherspoon in the movie of the same name. The river is crucial to transportation, industry, and recreation in the region.

The Columbia Gorge AVA includes the vineyards in the Hood River Valley, which is the land surrounding the Hood River as it flows down from Mount Hood, a dormant volcanic mountain that juts by itself into the skies and is Oregon’s highest point.

Most wineries in the area are small, boutique wineries.

The next day we stopped at the Columbia Gorge – a fitting end to a fantastic journey.

Check out Other Oregon Visits
– Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

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]]> Umpqua Valley Wine https://awinestory.com/umpqua-valley-wine/ Wed, 04 Aug 2021 15:09:33 +0000 https://awinestory.com/STAGING/?p=27723 Umpqua Valley Wine: Melrose Winery Melrose Vineyards is located on the bench of the South Umpqua River where once stood an early French Settlement. Umpqua Valley Wine history suggests that it was in the Mid 1800s when the Archembeau family settled and became owners of this settlement by filing a land grant. Through the years, […]

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Melrose Vineyards is located on the bench of the South Umpqua River where once stood an early French Settlement.

Umpqua Valley Wine history suggests that it was in the Mid 1800s when the Archembeau family settled and became owners of this settlement by filing a land grant. Through the years, many different agricultural crops have been produced on this site.

Melrose Vineyards’ owners (Wayne and the late Deedy Parker) arrived in 1996 to make Umpqua Valley Wine.

Wayne, with a successful 20-year history of growing grapes to be used as raisins in the San Joaquin Valley, was on a mission to plant a sizeable vineyard. He had predicted that Southern Oregon would be one of the next great viticulture areas in the United States. As it turns out, Wayne was correct. 

The original vineyard of 82 acres was planted in the summer of 1996. During the first winter, there occurred a “100-year Flood.” This unforeseen event had a devastating effect on the property because five acres of the fertile land was washed away with the flood waters.

This event showed the true nature of the land, and that flood-related damage was a real problem. Once realizing the threat of Mother Nature, the entire property was developed to prevent irreparable damage caused by future floods.

​As the first crops were harvested a few years later, the uniqueness of this river bottom site was shown to be a worthwhile investment. The grapes received rave reviews from the high-end wineries purchasing the fruit.

​Given the great success of their grape production, the Parkers decided to make Umpqua Valley Wine. 

 In 2000, the first wines were in the barrels and it was decided that the 100-year-old barn on the property, complete with breathtaking views, would be the ideal location for the Melrose tasting,room. 

The barn tasting room was rebuilt from the ground up, leaving only the main timbers of the structure intact in order to maintain its structural integrity and historical value.

Many original features of the structure were retained so you can still enjoy the authenticity of the original barn, creating a wonderful place to enjoy delicious Melrose wines while you slip back in time.

 

Hillcrest Winery in the Umpqua Valley

Hillcrest Winery

Hillcrest is Oregon’s oldest estate winery and the birthplace of Oregon Pinot Noir.

It was founded by the “Father of Oregon Wine”, Richard Sommer, 

Dyson DeMara, now the owner, enjoyed a career in the wine industry spaning 32 years and multiple continents, including Europe, South America and Asia.

He has worked for Pine Ridge and Robert Mondavi Winery and his experience includes viticulture, winemaking, marketing and research.

DeMara previously owned a winery in Napa Valley and currently is the owner and winemaker of HillCrest Winery and Distillery, Oregon’s oldest estate winery. In addition to Oregon he also makes wine in Spain, France and Germany. 

HillCrest was honored along with such wineries as Baron Ricasoli of Tuscany, the creator of Chianti and Schloss Johannisberg, the site and birthplace of German Riesling.

They use the most traditional of techniques to capture the perfume and textures of our unique vineyard sites. These techniques include all dry-farmed, old vine, hillside vineyards followed inside by the use of patented fermenters, 30-60 day skin contact on red and barrel aging of 2-4 years.

Beginning in 2010, they now produce wines from different corners of the old world. These wines, like our Oregon wine, come from the grapes that helped develop the reputation of these world class wine areas.

The varieties they make include Carignan, Grenache, Syrah, Lladoner Pelut, Frappato, Nero D’Avola and Riesling.

The family’s wines are not sold in stores.

Paul O’Brien Winery in the Umpqua Valley

Paul O’Brien Winery sources  grapes from dry farmed, hillside vineyards throughout the Umpqua Valley.  This approach allows us to ensure that we are selecting vineyard sites that are perfectly matched to a particular variety.  We have partnered with eight different growers who are dedicated to growing the finest winegrapes for the Paul O’Brien wines.

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Wine Resources

The Paul O’Brien People

So who is Paul O’Brien, you ask? Well, he is the culmination of twenty years of friendship between two winemakers who share a passion for fine wine, great food and a gracious life. Dyson Paul DeMara and Scott O’Brien Kelley met while working at Robert Mondavi Winery in the Napa Valley.

Since then they have travelled the world’s wine regions learning the old world traditions and sharing new world techniques. In 2013 the duo came together to start the Umpqua Valley’s first urban winery in the historic Hansen Chevrolet building in downtown Roseburg, Oregon.

Scott Kelley began his career in winemaking at Edgewood Estate in the Napa Valley after graduating from University of California, Davis.

In 1999, he joined the Robert Mondavi Family of Wines as Assistant Winemaker at La Famiglia di Robert Mondavi before being promoted to Director of Winemaking in 2001.

In 2003 his winemaking role expanded to include representing Robert Mondavi’s interests in Italy, working with the wines of Luce, Lucente and Ornellaia as well as in Australia on a joint venture with Rosemount Estates. 

Since then he served as GM/Director of Winemaking for Estancia Estates in Monterey County, California before making the jump to Oregon to fulfill his dream of starting his own winery.  

The Umpqua Valley has a special place in Scott’s heart as he grew up fly fishing the North Umpqua River with his father. He knew that someday he would move to the area to make wine and raise a family. 

Scott, his wife Dena and their son Logan have recently settled in Roseburg.

Trella Vineyards

Trella Vineyards

The Williams family established Trella Vineyards in 2011. After moving to Roseburg in 2007, the family began making friends with local winemakers and grew to appreciate the potential of the Umpqua Valley.

They rapidly evolved from wine neophytes to enthusiastic consumers, and eventually caught the fever for winegrowing. An 80 acre hillside parcel at the base of the Callahan Mountains was slowly tamed and a small vineyard was planted by hand in 2012.

A second planting was made in 2013. With help from all three generations of the family and handfuls of sympathetic friends, Trella Vineyards grew to seven acres of vines.

Terry Brandborg of Brandborg Winery became the winemaker in 2015 and his award-winning expertise yielded spectacular Trella wines.

You’ll also like:
Columbia Gorge & Mount Hood APA

Willamette Valley Pinot Noir  

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]]> Umpqua Valley Oregon Vineyards https://awinestory.com/umpqua-valley/ Fri, 30 Jul 2021 07:59:33 +0000 https://awinestory.com/STAGING/?p=27627 Umpqua Valley Oregon Umpqua Valley Oregon: Reustle Prayer Rock Vineyards Umpqua Valley Oregon is home to several top tier wineries. We enjoyed a very warm welcome and delicious award winning wine at Reustle Prayer Rock Vineyards. Before the Reustle Prayer Rock vineyard and winery, Stephen and Gloria Reustle owned a successful marketing company that taught […]

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Umpqua Valley Oregon: Reustle Prayer Rock Vineyards

Umpqua Valley Oregon is home to several top tier wineries.

We enjoyed a very warm welcome and delicious award winning wine at Reustle Prayer Rock Vineyards.

Before the Reustle Prayer Rock vineyard and winery, Stephen and Gloria Reustle owned a successful marketing company that taught them the value of providing “world-class” product to a loyal customer base.

Upon arriving in the Umpqua Valley of Oregon, Stephen carefully mapped out 40 acres of vineyards to be planted. Each variety, clone, and rootstock was carefully selected to match the diverse hillside soil and unique micro-climates.

Using only fruit grown from the estate’s Prayer Rock and Romancing Rock Vineyards, winemaking is kept to small lots preserving the disctintiveness of each varietal and clone.

And yes, there really is a “Prayer Rock” at the vineyard — at the top of the south-facing slope is a large rock that was the meeting place for Stephen and his son in the mornings to pray to God for blessing over their vineyard.

Not only did this family practice establish the name of the vineyard, but it has kept the Reustle’s very busy. Since then, they have bottled approximately 6,000 cases of wine annually, selling out every year.

Being forward about their Christian beliefs hasn’t always brought success.

For the first year of winemaking, the Reustles made 5,000 bottles with corks imprinted “Drink your wine with a happy heart… God approves of this” Ecclesiastes 9:7.

Government wine labeling regulators banned them from putting this on their corks. Stephen and Gloria didn’t let this set-back get them down for long though, and as the vineyard grew, so did their vision for how to provide the best wine experience possible.

Umpqua Valley Oregon: Cooper Ridge Vineyard

Cooper Ridge Vineyard is a family-owned and operated winery located in the heart of the Umpqua Valley. It is nestled in the 25 acre estate and winery along the North Umpqua River in Roseburg, Oregon and produces seven different varietals.

They opened the Tasting Room in 2015, offering  guests stunning panoramic views of the valley below and the mountain ranges to the east and to the west.

 

Opened in February 2017, their  7,500 square foot Winery is where grapes make their way to Wine.

Their state of the art facility is designed to process fruit effectively and efficiently with minimal labor.

Custom designed equipment was manufactured for their winery to process fruit seamlessly before placing into tank.   

15 stainless steel, glycol cold jacketed tanks ranging in size from 250-1500 gallons are where the process begins. 

An on-site lab gives us immediate access to the most crucial components and technicalities of the wine making process. 

Once the wine has made it through its initial processing, it moves on to the barrel area where they can regulate hot or cold processing depending on timing.

The 3 phase 1000 amp electrical system allows this to go quick seamless paired with our high productions micro cartridge filtered water system removing chlorine and other impurities pumping out 60 gal/min. Both are also quality features that allow workers to bottle wine on site utilizing a mobile bottling truck.  

Using new-neutral French and American oak, the heat and cold barrel storage can hold up to 250 full size barrels.   

Separate Case Good storage allows for the ability to store three vintages of bottled wine at a production of 3,500 cases per year. 

Umpqua Valley Oregon: Knostman Family Winery


Click here for
Wine Resources

Knostman Family Winery has a variety of estate wines to choose from. Whites include Muscat, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Gris. Reds include Gamay Noir, Malbec, and Dolcetto.

They also source local Pinot Noir which we use to make a delicious Rose’ as well.

The Parrott House

The Knostman Family Winery began in 2019. They wanted to make great wine to enjoy with family and friends. When they found this spot on the North Umpqua River they knew we were home!

They have been working hard on our 4 acre vineyard and now have it planted with whites Muscat, Pinot Gris, and Sauvignon Blanc and reds Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir,Gamay, and Syrah.

They make their wines in a fruit forward style with slow, cool fermentations and with as little interference as possible..

Reds are barrel aged for 8 months or longer depending on the varietal.

The day ended with dinner at The Parrottt House.

Registered on the National Historic Registry and Home of the Est.1891 Restaurant and Reform Bourbon Bar – The Parrott House brings history alive.

Their beautiful pavilion that is handcrafted design of reclaimed wood from the Seattle Rainier Brewery.

Chef Thompson’s view of a fine dining restaurant combines a fun atmosphere with great food.

I loved the Victorian textures.

Check Out These other Oregon Articles
– Columbia Gorge & Mount Hood
– Willamette Pinot Noir 

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]]> ?Willamette Pinot Noir: Sokol-Blosser https://awinestory.com/willamette-pinot-noir/ Fri, 23 Apr 2021 08:35:40 +0000 https://awinestory.com/STAGING/?p=26788 Willamette Pinot Noir from Sokol-Blosser Winery Willamette Pinot Noir is one of the most prestigious wines to come from Oregon. Yet it wasn’t always this way. In 1966, most Stanford graduates would prepare for exciting professional careers in cities like San Francisco, Manhattan, or Chicago. But Susan Sokol and Bill Blosser, both Liberal Arts majors, […]

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Willamette Pinot Noir bottles

Willamette Pinot Noir is one of the most prestigious wines to come from Oregon. Yet it wasn’t always this way.

In 1966, most Stanford graduates would prepare for exciting professional careers in cities like San Francisco, Manhattan, or Chicago.

But Susan Sokol and Bill Blosser, both Liberal Arts majors, heard the calling of the Willamette Valley.

Life with Willamette Pinot Noir

Sokol-Blosser Ladies

Both Bill Blosser and Susan Sokol knew they wanted to spend their lives in the wine world.

Bill Blosser spent a year in France while in college. He fell in love with the wine and the wine culture. Susan Sokol’s father had an excellent wine collection comprising fine Burgundy and Bordeaux. She learned to appreciate wine at an early age.

The young couple bought a 5-acre plot on a dilapidated prune orchard in the Dundee Hills (now an American Viticultural Area) of the Willamette Valley.

In 1971, Oregon did not have a wine industry. So wine lovers can thank the Sokol-Blossers and the other families for being Willamette Pinot Noir founders.

50th Annniversary with Willamette Pinot Noir

Willamette Pinot
Willamette Pinot Noir Bill and Susan Sokol-Blosser

To commemorate their 50th anniversary, the Sokol-Blosser family hosted a Willamette Pinot Noir tasting and webinar.

During this virtual visit, the founders talked about the early days of buying land in the Dundee Hills AVA. They were one of the few winemakers in the region – but they became friendly with other couples their age who shared their winemaking vision.

The couple produced their first Willamette Pinot Noir vintage in 1977. The quality of the wine from the area soon gained recognition and international awards. It is now home to the successful International Pinot Noir Celebration.

 

Click here for
Wine Resources

 

Willamette Pinot Noir – Family Business

Sokol-Blosser Family and Staff

To commemorate their 50th anniversary, the Sokol-Blosser family hosted a tasting and webinar.

During this virtual visit, the founders talked about the early days of buying land in the Dundee Hills AVA. They were one of the few winemakers in the region – but they became friendly with other couples their age who shared their winemaking vision.

The couple produced their first vintage in 1977. The quality of the wine from the area soon gained recognition and international awards.

Sokol-Blosser Willamette Pinot Noir in 1970s

Willamette Pinot Noir Bill and Susan Sokol-Blosser

Blosser spoke at length about growing up in the 1970s on an isolated Willamette Pinot Noir vineyard. The siblings are both co-presidents of the company. Alex is also winemaker, while Alison focuses on sales, marketing, and overseeing operations. Their brother Nik Sokol-Blosser involves himself with the winery but is co-founder and president of Celilo Group Media, Inc. This is a Portland, Oregon-based media company with the mission of expanding markets for sustainable products.

Certified Organic and Green

Willamette Pinot Noir vineyard

Sokol Blosser Winery has been Certified Organic by the Oregon Department of Agriculture since 2005.

In 2007, Sunset magazine honored both founder Susan Sokol Blosser and Sokol Blosser Winery with their prestigious “Green Winery of the Year” award. Sokol Blosser Winery is a participant in the Carbon Reduction Challenge, an initiative begun by Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski in 2009 as the Carbon Neutral Challenge. Their goal was to inspire businesses to measure and progressively reduce greenhouse gases.

The Winery has been ranked multiple times as one of Oregon Business magazine’s Top 100 Best Green Companies for which to Work

Willamette Pinot Noir Tasting

Sokol-Blosser Wines

The Tasting allowed participants to contrast the three Pinot Noir wines side by side. And it was a treat to try the 2012 Big Tree Block Estate Pinot Noir, still fresh and vibrant at nine years of age.

2018 Bluebird Cuvée Sparkling

This is a delicious wine made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, but also Early Muscat, Muller-Thurgau, and Riesling for freshness.

2018 Dundee Hills Estate Pinot Noir

The Sokol-Blosser family says this wine epitomizes everything the family stands for. They crafted the wine to function as a genuine expression of terrior from their hillside vines and Jory soil. On the nose and palate you can detect black cherry, clove, mushroom, and truffle. Delicious with a long finish and a long life ahead of it.

2018 Old Vineyard Block Estate Pinot Noir  

This was one of my favorite wines, mostly because of its firm, chewy tannins. The vineyard is the oldest on the property, though they replanted the original vines.  On the nose and palate tasters can detect red fruit, leather, and allspice.

2012 Big Tree Block Estate Pinot Noir

This wine comes from their single block program, with the vines grown on Jory soil. It has aromas of fresh blueberries, nutmeg, and spices of coriander and white pepper. The wine is drinking very well now and can be enjoyed for the next ten to fifteen years.

Final Thoughts

The tasting took place electronically across the country. Yet as the Sokol-Blosser family spoke about their history and virtually served me their wine, I felt like I was sitting across from them at a dining table.

The young third generation of the Sokol-Blosser family are expressing interest in becoming active in the winery. Something for wine lovers to look forward to in future years.

Click here to read about another Willamette Pinot Noir founding family.

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]]> 3 Secrets of Willamette Valley Pinot Noir https://awinestory.com/willamette-valley-pinot-noir/ Wed, 22 Apr 2020 22:02:18 +0000 https://awinestory.com/STAGING/?p=18070   http://shop Willamette Valley Pinot Noir Willamette Pinot Noir is one of the more exciting wines in the USA right now. [socialpug_tweet tweet=”When most people think of Pinot Noir, they think of its ancestral home: Burgundy, France. ” display_tweet=””] When most people think of Pinot Noir, they think of its ancestral home: Burgundy, France. **View […]

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Willamette Valley Pinot Noir Auction
Willamette Valley Pinot Noir Auction

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Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

Willamette Pinot Noir is one of the more exciting wines in the USA right now.

[socialpug_tweet tweet=”When most people think of Pinot Noir, they think of its ancestral home: Burgundy, France. ” display_tweet=””]

When most people think of Pinot Noir, they think of its ancestral home: Burgundy, France.

**View Wine Resources Here**

The region of Burgundy, France is famous for Pinot Noir for many reasons. The top 3 are:

    1. The unique soil composition of the many tiny vineyard parcels.
    2. The cool climate.
    3. 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.

[socialpug_tweet tweet=”When most people think of Pinot Noir, they think of its ancestral home: Burgundy, France.” display_tweet=””]

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.

**Click Here for Wine Resources**

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

[socialpug_tweet tweet=”Naysayers warned that the climate in the Willamette Valley was too cool to ripen the grapes” display_tweet=””]

Willamette 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.

[socialpug_tweet tweet=”The family had to live in a trailer until they built the house. Meanwhile, they planted the vineyards.” display_tweet=””]

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.

**View Wine Resources Here**

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.

[socialpug_tweet tweet=”Suddenly, his parents were celebrities and the Elk Grove Vineyard wines highly prized.” display_tweet=””]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.

[socialpug_tweet tweet=”The six red wines all came from various years, with different weather, and expressed the varied terroir of the Willamette region.” display_tweet=””]

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.

  1.  Bottled water
  2.  Paper cups for expectoration or this handy device
  3.  A notebook and pen
  4. 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 wine route 

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.

 

Willamette Valley Pinot Noir Auction
Willamette Pinot Noir Auction Flight of Wine

 

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If you like this article you will like:

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— Chappellet Family Winery
— Hess Collection
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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

Willamette Pinot Noir Auction
Willamette Pinot Noir Auction

 

 

 

 

 

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]]> Pinot Noir in Oregon https://awinestory.com/3-top-wineries-for-pinot-noir-in-oregon/ Fri, 19 Apr 2019 21:39:02 +0000 https://awinestory.com/STAGING/?p=18738 Pinot Noir in Oregon As a wine lover, you  know that Oregon Pinot Noir is some of the best in the world. Many feel Pinot Noir in Oregon ranks equal to top quality Pinot Noir from Burgundy. In fact, many wine experts sometimes find it difficult to tell the difference between Oregon Pinot Noir and […]

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Pinot Noir in Oregon

Pinot Noir in Oregon

As a wine lover, you  know that Oregon Pinot Noir is some of the best in the world.

Many feel Pinot Noir in Oregon ranks equal to top quality Pinot Noir from Burgundy.

In fact, many wine experts sometimes find it difficult to tell the difference between Oregon Pinot Noir and Burgundian Pinot Noir.

Pinot Noir in Oregon: Oregon’s Golden Era

Many agree that Pinot Noir in Oregon burst into the international scene in the 1970s, when David Lett’s Eyrie Vineyards’ 1975 Pinot Noir

South Block Reserve Pinot Noir was ranked 10th in its category in the Wine Olympics held in Paris in 1979.

Then it won another competition in Burgundy.

At that time, the Oregon winemakers of that era were young and raising families.

They were excited about the prospects of showcasing Pinot Noir grown from their terroir.

Now, nearly a half century later, the children of these Pinot Noir pioneer families are carrying on the tradition.

Glasses of Oregon Pinot Noir
Glasses of Oregon Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir In Oregon: New Generation

Recently the new second generation winemakers from three pioneer Oregon wineries came to New York city.

Their mission was to give select wine journalists insight into this special terroir.

Individually, the winemakers told stories of their childhood in the 1970s and 1980s.

They spoke of their parent’s struggles.

And they described how the pioneer families had dinners together to share tips about clones, wine making, and grape growing.

These second generation winemakers all knew each other as children.

It was refreshing to see that they – like their parents – are working together and sharing ideas today.

The winemakers included:

Adam Campbell from Elk Grove;

Luisa Ponzi from Ponzi Vineyards;

Alex Sokol Blosser from the winery Sokol Blosser.

As a trio, they were incredibly energetic and really excited to speak about the histories of their family.

They also asked the audience to indulge in their “geeking out” about the terroir, and the audience encouraged them to do so.

After all, the purpose of this Oregon Pinot Noir event is to showcase how the Pinot Noir grape expresses itself in three different vineyards, in wine made by three different winemakers,

Pinot Noir in Oregon: The 2GV Project

Yet another objective of this event was to introduce a collaborative effort between the siblings at Elk Grove, Ponzi, and Sokol Blosser.

Wine experts tasted nine different individual “component wines” representing wines made by each of the three winemakers in the La Boheme vineyard, the Madrona Vineyard, and the Old Vineyard Block.

Each of these vineyards has a different soil type and different age of vines.

Then the individual component wines were blended together to make the 2GV wine, that would be a feature of the Willamette Valley Auction and also be available to distributors.

The La Boheme Vineyard

This vineyard was planted in 1985 and has Marine sediment. It is located in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA, which is one of the best appellations for growing Pinot Noir.

The elevation here is 800 feet so you know the resulting wines will have incredible aromatics and high acidity.

Each of the three winemakers took turns speaking about their experiences growing grapes on this terroir.

And each of the wines presented by the three winemakers had a different texture and flavor profile, even though they were all from the same vineyard.

For example, Adam of Elk Grove destemmed 80% of his grapes, used William Seylen yeast, and 25% new French oak.

Luisa Ponzi destemmed 100% of her grapes, performed twice daily punch downs, used ambient yeast fermentation, and then 25% new French oak.

Alex of Sokol Blosser also destemmed 100% of the grapes, inoculated with commercial yeast, and fermented in an oak upright with 20% new French oak.

Madrona Vineyard

Madrona Vineyard was planted in 1985. The soil is Laurelwood and it is located in the Chelalem Mountains.

The elevation is 450 feet and they are Pommard clones.

Adam of Elk Cove uses 85% whole cluster with the William Seylem yeast and 25% new French oak.

Luisa Ponzi uses 50% whole cluster with a 7-day post fermentation and 30 days in the fermenter with ambient yeast and 25% new oak.

Alex of Sokol Blosser uses 100% destemmed grapes, ambient yeast, and 20% new oak.

Old Vineyard Block

This vineyard was originally planted in 1971 but replanted in 2007.

The soil is the famous Jory soil of Oregon. It is in the Dundee Hills AVA and has an elevation of 500 feet.

The clones are Pommard on 420H root stock.

Adam of Elk Cove uses 85% whole cluster, William Seylem yeast, and 25% new French oak.

Luisa Ponzi uses 100% destemmed grapes and bleeds (saignee) 10% of the must on the second day.

As usually, she uses 25% new French Oak.

And Alex of Sokol Blosser destemmed 100% of the grapes, a house yeast for fermentation, and new Mercurey Prestige Barrels.

Pinot Noir in Oregon : Observations on the Component Tasting

This was a component tasting and these were not wines to be bottled individually, though all were excellent.

It was interesting to note how even on the same terroir, the Pinot Noir from Oregon could take on such different expressions.

For example, one winemaker had a more delicate touch no matter what vineyard the grapes were grown.

The last wine to be tasted was the final 2GV blend.

It was an excellent wine characterized by a great deal of complexity and a long length of finish. It should improve for many years in a cellar.

Pinot Noir in Oregon :New World Style

Though there are always comparisons between Burgundy and Oregon, in my view there is a definitive “New World” character to Pinot Noir wines from Oregon.

For me, it is a definitive freshness of fruit and exuberant character to the wines.

Yet more and more, the Oregon winemakers do not even care about being compared to Burgundy anymore.

Though once it was taken as quite a complement.

Just like the three winemakers expressed during the presentation, it is important for consumers to recognize the special soils of Oregon.

Conclusion

These winemakers are to be commended for this excellent collaborative project designed to showcase the diversity of Oregon soils as well as the variety of wine making techniques utilized by three different winemakers.

From tasting the wine and listening to the stories, participants could get a good sense of how winemakers can put their own mark on their terroir.

Check Out These Great Resources

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Dominus Estate

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