The Oregon Wine Trail
Oregon is the new “old Napa and Sonoma Valleys.” With so many negative opinions of California’s surge of corporate endeavors, I have been searching for the feel of “Old California.” I found it in Oregon; it has become my region of passion as of late. The quality and boutique feel to their wines has found me researching the backgrounds of the vineyards and the locale. Although I have not traveled there myself you can taste the homely nature in the wines and speaking to anyone who has taken time off to relax there has nothing but happy memories.
The largest wine-producing region in Oregon is the Willamette Valley. Natural boundaries and the Willamette River create the 100-mile long, 60-mile wide Willamette Valley, which is home to more than 100 wineries. The Valley is bordered to the north by the Columbia River, to the south by the Calapooya Mountains, to the east by the Cascade Mountain foothills, and to the west by Oregon's Coast Range. This gives it the perfect cool climate for some of the world’s best Pinot Noirs and Pinot Gris’.
As an example, in the twelve-mile radius of the town of Dundee located in the Willamette Valley, there are just about a dozen small producing, family owned and run wineries. Visitors can travel from winery to winery tasting and chatting with the locals at their own pace, and like the old times of California most of these wineries do not charge for a taste of their treasures. Your company is payment enough.
Many of Oregon’s wines have made the top 100 of several prominent lists. Sokol Blosser and Argyle are vineyards located in Dundee whose Pinot Noir has been rated in the top 90’s by many reviewers, including Robert Parker and were both Wine Spectator top 100s.
On our list here at CVCC I have included 2 excellent wines that capture the essence of Oregon. Adelsheim Pinot Noir, which happens to be my favorite wine, and King Estate Pinot Gris.
Adelsheim vineyard is everything a small wine producer should be, right down to the labels, which include paintings done by Ginny Adelsheim. These drawings are of their family members and prominent Oregon winemakers. The label on the Pinot noir is of Diana Lett, who founded one of Oregon’s first Pinot Noir producers. This Pinot Noir can only be explained as exquisite, with it’s wild cherry and raspberry notes, it is smooth as silk.
King Estate vineyard is a bit larger at 1033 acres but is fully owned and funded by the King Family and is also home to orchards of pears and apples and plenty of gardens. The orchards play into the King Estate’s beliefs and intentions. “These trees symbolize the past, paying tribute to those who invested time and labor in this valley.” (2005 Press Release, King Estate Vineyards. www.kingestate.com). Their Pinot Gris is exceptionally balanced and has deep flavors of melon and pear with notes of pineapple and honey.
Next time you are thinking of traveling to a wine region for a bit of relaxing and tasting, I suggest a trip to the serene and picturesque Willamette Valley, you won’t be disappointed. Or during your next trip to the Wine Store stop by the Oregon section, pick out something new and take a trip into the bliss of the valley from the comfort of your own home.
The largest wine-producing region in Oregon is the Willamette Valley. Natural boundaries and the Willamette River create the 100-mile long, 60-mile wide Willamette Valley, which is home to more than 100 wineries. The Valley is bordered to the north by the Columbia River, to the south by the Calapooya Mountains, to the east by the Cascade Mountain foothills, and to the west by Oregon's Coast Range. This gives it the perfect cool climate for some of the world’s best Pinot Noirs and Pinot Gris’.
As an example, in the twelve-mile radius of the town of Dundee located in the Willamette Valley, there are just about a dozen small producing, family owned and run wineries. Visitors can travel from winery to winery tasting and chatting with the locals at their own pace, and like the old times of California most of these wineries do not charge for a taste of their treasures. Your company is payment enough.
Many of Oregon’s wines have made the top 100 of several prominent lists. Sokol Blosser and Argyle are vineyards located in Dundee whose Pinot Noir has been rated in the top 90’s by many reviewers, including Robert Parker and were both Wine Spectator top 100s.
On our list here at CVCC I have included 2 excellent wines that capture the essence of Oregon. Adelsheim Pinot Noir, which happens to be my favorite wine, and King Estate Pinot Gris.
Adelsheim vineyard is everything a small wine producer should be, right down to the labels, which include paintings done by Ginny Adelsheim. These drawings are of their family members and prominent Oregon winemakers. The label on the Pinot noir is of Diana Lett, who founded one of Oregon’s first Pinot Noir producers. This Pinot Noir can only be explained as exquisite, with it’s wild cherry and raspberry notes, it is smooth as silk.
King Estate vineyard is a bit larger at 1033 acres but is fully owned and funded by the King Family and is also home to orchards of pears and apples and plenty of gardens. The orchards play into the King Estate’s beliefs and intentions. “These trees symbolize the past, paying tribute to those who invested time and labor in this valley.” (2005 Press Release, King Estate Vineyards. www.kingestate.com). Their Pinot Gris is exceptionally balanced and has deep flavors of melon and pear with notes of pineapple and honey.
Next time you are thinking of traveling to a wine region for a bit of relaxing and tasting, I suggest a trip to the serene and picturesque Willamette Valley, you won’t be disappointed. Or during your next trip to the Wine Store stop by the Oregon section, pick out something new and take a trip into the bliss of the valley from the comfort of your own home.
posted by The Wine Corner | 12:58 AM
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