A consistently fine, small to medium-sized operation which has performed admirably over a long period, providing the essence of Sauternes at an affordable price. As well as Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc, Michel Garat has just a small amount of Muscadelle to add aroma. The wine is barrel-fermented for an extended 3–4 weeks with around 15% […]
Well-established Cru Bourgeois with 30 year-old vineyards planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot, which comes from the oldest parcel of vines and adds extra character. The emphasis at the property is to achieve a natural balance in the vineyard and this shows through in the quality of the wine which is medium-weight with […]
Things are taking a turn for better at this medium-sized operation based in the southern part of the Haut-Médoc and owned by the insurance company Groupama. The wine is now showing good depth and some attractive dark fruit notes and harmonious tannins. A medium-weight style, better with 5 or 6 years’ ageing. The rating applies […]
This is a recently established small operation, producing Pinot Noir red as well as Tempranillo and Pinot Gris. The first vintage was in 2003 and the Pinot Noir is now labelled 3 Clones. As ever with small volume winemaking keeping a track of your favourite wines is not easy. Production of all the wines is […]
This is the sister property of Harry Peterson-Nedry’s CHEHALEM. The Stollers are co-owners there and the same applies here. One of the key differences between the two operations being that the wines here are produced from estate fruit whereas at Chehalem a range of examples from a number of sources are created. Vineyard plantation work […]
The vineyards at this estate are to be found just to the north of Salem and gain the maximum light exposure from the sun, picking up its benefit from early morning. The property, located on a hilltop with a south facing aspect, was originally planted in 1978 to a combination of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and […]
Mark Vlossak established his small operation in 1988 with a number of other investors producing just a few hundred cases in his first vintage. Today the output remains relatively small and he makes some of the most striking wines in the AVA, with two-thirds accounted for by Pinot Noir. A big and structured Pinot Gris […]
Andrew Rich established his operation a little over a decade ago and produces wines from both Oregon and Washington sources. As well as Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Gewürztraminer a range of Rhône varieties including Grenache, Mourvèdre and Roussanne as well as Syrah contribute to his small range. Sauvignon Blanc has been produced from the […]
The four partners at A to Z Wineworks purchased this operation in 2007. With 23 ha (56 acres) of owned vineyards (Estate and Jacob-Hart) planted almost exclusively to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay and sourcing fruit from elsewhere this winery has consistently produced first-class wines and in particular, Pinot Noir from a number of sites. There […]
The Schulls produce a small and impressive range of single-vineyard Pinot Noirs from a range of sources as well as one of the best value Willamette bottlings to be found in the State. They founded their winery in 1995 and have since planted a 7.5 ha (18 acre) site, which is farmed organically in the […]
Ponzi is a long-established Willamette Valley producer with a deservedly high reputation for its Pinot Noir. Luisa Ponzi has now taken on the winemaking mantle. Regular Willamette Pinot Noir is certainly good in a ripe, gamey and earthy style. There is a superior Reserve bottling, which offers more depth and greater structure as well as […]
Ron and Lynn Penner-Ash produce some rich and concentrated Willamette Valley Pinot Noir as well as small quantities of hand-crafted Syrah and Viognier. The Syrah comes from several different Oregon growers, while the Viognier is sourced from the Del Rio Vineyard in the south of the state. The Pinot Noir, a blend from a number […]
This is an excellent producer of first-class Pinot Noir as well as Pinot Gris. The winery purchases fruit from a range of different vineyard sources throughout the Willamette Valley and, with long-term arrangements with growers, maintains a tight grip on viticulture. Careful sorting (triage) takes place prior to vinification and the practice of minimal intervention […]
Rudy Marchesi is putting considerable investment into this sizeable operation since purchasing the winery in January 2006. The latest white vintages are already very promising and the Pinot Noirs consistently improving. The property consists of more than 84 ha (210 acres) of vineyards and is now farmed biodynamically. Of the two premium labeled Pinot Noirs […]
The Momtazis are as well known for the quality of fruit emerging from their biodynamically farmed home estate vineyard as they are for their fine wines. They purchased their vineyard in 1997 and initially began farming organically before deciding biodynamic preparations were the best way forward – in order to produce fruit of the highest […]
This new Willamette operation was established in 1999 with the completion of its winery facility. A small and impressive range of well priced Pinot Noirs are produced along with a good Chardonnay, dominated by melon and lightly mineral, spicy flavours rather than others which can be excessively tropical and oaky. Riesling and Pinot Gris are […]
This is now a sizeable operation and the largest producer of Pinot Noir in Oregon. Quality ranges from good to very good and the wines are widely sourced throughout the state. The wines produced include the flagship Domaine and also well-priced Signature labels including a fine luscious icewine style Vin Glacé from estate grown Pinot […]
Eric Hamacher makes a small amount of both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and founded his winery operation in 1995. The wines are all sold to consumers through the Carlton Winemakers Studio of which he was one of the founders. As well as providing a tasting room it is a winery facility for a small number […]
Impressive property established by former Torii Mor winemakers Patty Green and Jim Anderson. The focal point of the operation is the 21 ha (52 acre) Estate Vineyard in Ribbon Ridge, which the pair purchased in 2000. As well as the Estate bottling wines have been made from a range of other vineyards too. These include […]
Steve and Paula Black purchased their 110 acre (44.5 ha) vineyard in 2003 and named it in honour of their four daughters. They have not ignored their son Nicholas though, he is recognized as the “keeper of the Four Graces” on their reserve label Pinot. Indeed it is no surprise that Pinot Noir is the […]
A long established winery founded in 1974. They have 120 acres of vineyards planted on three northern Willamette sites. South facing slopes and a combination of finely drained Willakenzie and Laurelwood soils provides an excellent growing environment. The winery is now gravity flow and the wines are achieving new levels of quality. Pinot Blanc is […]
The Neals established their property in 1998. Their vineyard is planted to Pinot Noir as well as Syrah, a small amount of Viognier to co-ferment with the Syrah in future releases, Rieslng and unusually for Oregon, Gruner Veltliner. Pinot Noir is the main focus though understandably and there are a number of different blocks with […]
Winemaking at Chehalem commenced in 1990. The winery is also now co-owned by Bill and Cathy Stoller of STOLLER VINEYARDS and Harry Peterson-Nedry is a part owner in their winery. There are now three estate vineyard sources, Ridgecrest, Stoller and Corral Creek, the total area under vine being some 106 ha (262 acres). Pinot Noir […]
Mike and Cara Hallocks wines are all sourced from the family’s own vineyards. Their site is found in the south-eastern tip of the Chehalem Mountains on Parrett Mountain. The approach as with other contemporary Oregon Pinot Noir growers is to plant blocks of different clones separately. The 58 acre site now consists of seven different […]
Now a part of the Australian Lion Company group, which owns PETALUMA, this sizeable operation produces good Pinot Noir as well as top-quality sparkling wine. For both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, the bigger-volume Willamette Valley and Reserve bottlings offer good value; limited releases under the Nuthouse label offers a notch up in quality. The Nuthouse […]
A sizeable range of wines is available at this property with vineyards in the Yamhill-Carlton and Chehalem Mountain regions. The estate was purchased by Robert Pamplin in 1999 and much investment has gone into the project with now close to 45 ha under vine. There are three essential ranges of wines. The Cuvée A labels […]
Small, bespoke operation owned by the Andrus family, who founded the large premium PINE RIDGE operation in Napa’s Stags Leap District. Very classy Pinot Noir is produced here along with Pinot Gris. The focus is on specially selected lots of Pinot Noir, providing not only style and class but individuality too. To that end over […]
This family operation began life under the Fisher label but this had to change because of a winery name conflict. Adea is now named after the members of the family. The family estate vineyard was planted in 1990 with aid from Michael Etzel of BEAUX FRÈRES and the first wine produced in 1995. The Adea […]
The Jones produce an excellent small range of Spanish and Rhône style wines and are showing the real potential of these styles in the Umpqua Valley. The fruit is sourced mainly from the estate Fault Line vineyards. Both whites are also fermented in stainless steel to emphasise their pure fruit character. The clean and lightly […]
This partnership of four friends, Deb and Bill Hatcher and Cheryl Francis and Sam Tannahill was established in 2000 and have grown to become Oregon’s largest winery group. As well as A to Z they produce wines under their own premium labels: Deb and Bill make HATCHER Pinot Noir while Cheryl and Sam have a […]
