Tag Archives: Willamette Valley

Lessons From an Oregon Wine Weekend

18 Friday Nov 2016

Posted by in Food & Travel, Newspaper Column 2016, Oregon, Uncategorized

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There is nothing like three days in wine country, anywhere, to renew the juices and excitement for wine, learning about wine, and the winemakers.

Three good friends and I visited Oregon’s Willamette Valley Oct. 27-29 for three wonderful days of wine, wineries, and friendship. We had some pretty darn good food too.

grape-sense-logoIn the last Grape Sense, I asked for you to follow along and ask questions and a few did.

A reader from Crawfordsville asked about reservations versus walk-in tastings. The answer really isn’t all that clear cut. The majority of the wineries take walk-up visitors. Many of the smaller, or boutique wineries, require an advance reservation to taste their wines. Some of the very best wineries are a little under the radar.

That leads to the next point. Our group made a point at just about every tasting room to ask the folks working there who they would recommend we visit during our brief stay. Obviously, you can’t get to every recommendation. But leave room in your schedule to visit wineries recommended by people who work in the business.ing

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Our group visiting with Donna Morris, Winderlea Winery.

Let’s move on to schedule. These tips apply whether you’re going for a one-day road trip of tasting or a multi-day trip to wine country. We squeezed in 11 wineries in three days. Frankly, that’s too many for most people. Even with small tasting pours and/or if you spit, you’re absorbing a lot of alcohol. I believe after three wineries you also develop what I’d call ‘palate fatigue.’ I probably am a more practiced ‘taster’ than most and know after three stops my palate is getting pretty numb.

Drink lots of water. Bread, crackers and even salty snacks are a good idea to help soak up all that alcohol.

If you’ve never done a vineyard walk with a vineyard manager, winemaker, or knowledgeable winery spokesperson it is the best way to learn about wine. You’ll learn twice or three times as much among the vines than inside any winery.

Visit the wineries websites before going. You’ll learn whether you need a reservation or not. You’ll know what tasting fees will be charged. In Oregon, for example, most tasting room fees are $15-$20 with many established producers offering a number of different choices at different price points. Most Oregon wineries still wave the fee with a specified purchase.

Tasting and then buying wine is fun and exciting. But think about a budget before you ever step out of your house. It may sound silly but when you are tasting the best wine of the day at that third or fourth stop, it’s easy to spend more than you had planned.

If the winemaker or owner is around don’t hesitate to speak to them or ask them if they have a few moments to talk about their wines. Most are very accommodating and love talking to their customers.

Because of my wine writing connections, we were able to talk to several and I’ll be writing some pieces based upon that in coming weeks.

Join Me for Drink & Eat Oregon

23 Monday Mar 2015

Posted by in Food & Travel, Newspaper Column 2015, Oregon

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When I started writing a wine column seven years ago there was no intention of getting into the wine tour business. But there is a desire among many to travel to wine country with all of the arrangements taken care of by an insider.

Grape Sense LogoWhile I won’t quite claim insider status just yet, my first trip of 2014 treated my eight guests to fabulous food, accommodations, and wine tasting with owners and winemakers.

The 2015 trip runs June 15-20, or five nights and four full days. Drink & Eat Oregon is designed for anyone with a wine interest. We’ll be drinking some of the best Pinot Noir along with Oregon’s signature Pinot Gris and emerging light-bodied Chardonnays.

Here is how the trip works. Participants are responsible for their own transportation to get to Portland, Oregon. A room will be reserved for each couple at a major downtown hotel. We being with a reception Monday night June 15 and then take off for the Willamette Valley the next morning. Once you arrive in Portland – all expenses are covered by the trip fee until the trip ends Saturday morning, June 20.

Our 2014 group on my first Oregon Pinot Noir tour.
The stunning Columbia River Gorge.
For my palate, Lange is one of Oregon’s most consistent producers.
A quick lunch of local ingredients at Lange.
Members of our group tasting Jesse Lange’s three soil series Pinots.

Again, all expenses – lodging, transportation, meals, wine tasting – are covered by the registration fee. The only thing not covered is the wine participants might purchase. That’s made easy too! You can have wine shipped home by the winery or join a wine club. Additionally, I cover the shipping costs, and all the handling, of one case of wine for each couple on the trip. You can buy a bottle or two here and there and your registration will cover the cost of having it delivered to your door.

Last year we visited Lange Estate, Winderlea, Domaine Drouhin, Vidon, Alexana, Saffron Fields, and Hawk’s View Cellars. We dined at McMinnville’s iconic Nick’s Italian Café and Recipe in Newberg.

Additionally, we take a break from all the wine tasting on Thursday and drive the stunning Columbia River Gorge. If you’ve never seen it, you are missing one of the most beautiful spots in the United States.

The cost per person is $2600, double occupancy. Just look for other similar trips and you’ll see it’s very reasonably priced for a boutique wine tour. As a matter of fact, when I checked search engines the closest thing I could find was a 3-day trip for $2700. A trip similar this one was $3800.

Besides the great tasting experiences led by winemakers and owners, I’ll be along to answer questions and give some insight on Oregon wine and the spots we visit.

You can find more information about the trip on my wine blog – www.howardhewit.net – at the top of the page just click on “Drink & Eat Oregon 2015.” You can write me with questions at: hewitthoward@gmail.com

I already have considerable interest on a potential trip to Burgundy, France, for next year.

Join Drink & Eat Oregon 2015 Trip

09 Monday Feb 2015

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2014 group having fun tasting the wines of Alexana Winery in a beautiful outdoor setting.
Barrel tasting with Alexana’s winemaker Bryan Weil.
The stunning Columbia River Gorge.
A quick lunch of local ingredients at Lange.
Our 2014 group on my first Oregon Pinot Noir tour.

I have all the details up on my 2015 Oregon Tour – this year called: Drink & Eat Oregon. Last year’s wine tour group was so taken by the fool they said I had to add food to the title. So be it.

The trip is all set for June 15-20. Read all of the details at the top of the blog under the header: Drink & Eat Oregon!

Tasting Oregon to Tuscany

21 Saturday Jun 2014

Posted by in Food & Travel, Italy, Oregon

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SIENA, ITALY – From the lush green countryside of Oregon’s Willamette Valley to the majesty and golden valleys of Tuscany, a common refrain connects wine lovers. There’s nothing better than good food and good wine.

Grape Sense LogoGrape Sense’s first private wine tour, a five-day exploration of Oregon, was followed by a 10-day excursion in Italy’s Siena, Florence, and Rome. The first trip was private and wine/food focused while the current trip is about education and paying-job related. But in Italy there is no escaping the wine and food. And, who would want to do that any way?

In Italy the gracious ristorante and trattoria owners offer smiles, warmth, and endless platters of great food. A mid-week drive through the heart of Tuscany was time for a short lesson on Italian wine. The travel group of 20 seems to enjoy wine but wanted to understand Tuscany for its wine as well as its art and history. The college professor leading the tour handed me the touring coach microphone for a quick lesson.

It occurred to me as we resumed the ride, it’s a lesson that needs repeated.

The not-so-difficult hurdle to understanding Italian, for that matter French, wine is to understand geography. The Old World wine countries identifiy wines by region and not grape. If you’re having steak and want a nice big California Cabernet, you head to the wine shop and buy a Cabernet. But in Italy you might buy a Super Tuscan or Brunello – neither of those wines are a grape. But each are made from Sangiovese – the grape most identified with Europe’s boot.

I shot this vineyard photo about 10 mi. from Montalcino

I shot this vineyard photo about 10 mi. from Montalcino

Sangiovese dominates Tuscany and makes the Chianti, Chianti Classico, and Brunello wines. Sangiovese is usually blended with Cabernet, and sometimes a bit of Merlot or even Syrah, in the Super Tuscan wines.

In Italy’s Trattorias (think small restaurant) to the nice ristorantes the Rosso flows freely from the jug or pitcher. A Rosso is essentially a table wine and almost always Sangiovese. It’s not fair to over generalize Sangiovese as bottom of the barrel wine production, but who ever said we’d be fair.

The Rosso wines are pleasant enough and usually lighter than a Chianti with less acidity and less of the full dark cherry flavor of most Chianti. The quality varies greatly but it’s satisfying enough for the average tourist palate.

Our travel group enjoyed an unique picnic in Montalcino, a hilltop town in the very heart of Brunello – Sangiovese’s shining-moment wine.

We had a huge spread of crusty bread, salami, and Italy’s wonderful prosciutto and smoked prosciutto. We bought three different Brunello wines and a white to show our friends the difference between Italy’s entry level Rosso and its biggest star.

It was a big hit. Many had come to Italy expecting great wine at each meal and were slightly disappointed they had not found that. But now they’re spoiled and my work is complete!

But on a more serious note, there is nothing better than exploring everything a new wine region – whether it’s a state or country – has to offer. And when the opportunity arises, explore that wine region from its least to its best.

Chianti wines are widely available from the supermarket to wine shops. I always suggest trying the Chianti Classico which offers softer tannins and richer fruit for just a few dollars more. Great Classicos can be found at under $25. Brunello is king of the Tuscan mountains but substantially more expensive, starting at twice the per bottle cost of a good Classico.

We’re off to Florence as this is written and then Rome – more great wild boar sauce, pasta, beef, veal and Sangiovese await.

First Wine Tour Shapes Future Trips

15 Sunday Jun 2014

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OREGON’S WILLAMETTE Valley – Flying home Saturday night, readying for a new adventure starting Monday, I’m reflecting on a debriefing session I had last night with the eight participants on my first wine tour.

Our five nights and four days in Oregon’s Willamette Valley were nothing short of spectacular and a rousing success. One member of the group went around the table asking couples on the trip if it had lived up to expectations and each said it was far more than they ever expected. That was rewarding.

What I learned from this group of friends is that I need to emphasize the wonderful food as much as the wine. Instead of Pinot Palooza, how about Drink & Eat Oregon?

I’ve also toyed with the idea of putting together a less costly version of this trip and after the evaluation I’m leaning strongly against it. The experience our group had in Oregon should be duplicated for others and not lessened to save a few hundred bucks a person on cost.

The fabulous Black Walnut Inn is unmatched in hospitality, location, and beauty. The views on top of the hill surrounded by vineyards, and a view of Mt. Hood on a clear day, is where I want to take groups.

The Oregon wine community hospitality was unmatched. The wine’s were off the charts. The food was simply unbelievable.
I’m going to try to get some posts, and a lot of photos, up over the next couple days from more of the trip. Meanwhile, I’m thinking I’ll repeat the trip next June and perhaps set up two trips on back to back weeks. I’ll continue to try to do the trip at 8 people, or four couples. I could do 10 but believe 8 is the perfect number. I’m going to set dates real soon and get that out for folks’ calendars.

And what happens after 2015? How about the trip of a lifetime in 2016 to France’s iconic Burgundy region? I’m also thinking about Paso Robles in the next two years.

Frankly, I couldn’t be more pleased that my first venture into wine tourism went so well!

Exploring Oregon Wine Near Carlton

09 Monday Jun 2014

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A gorgeous afternoon view of Saffron Fields Vineyards

A gorgeous afternoon view of Saffron Fields Vineyards

Saffron Fields' very cool tasting room.

Saffron Fields’ very cool tasting room.

CARLTON, Or. – Scouting as a wine writer can be a lot of fun. There is just something about these winding roads, hills, and hillside vineyards that makes visiting wine country really special.

And I’ve written before that it’s the people in the wineries and in the communities which make visiting a spot like the Willamette Valley really worthwhile.

After leaving Indiana very early and six hours of flight, I drove out into the Valley. I set about visiting two wineries on my list and a couple more in Carlton where I spent Sunday night.

Many of these wines will be hard to find. I guess the point of the post is to note the fun of exploring wine country and the delightful surprises around every crooked corner of the road.

Lenne’ Vineyard, up a gravel road with spectacular views, was my first stop. The brand new tasting room was rather barren but the young lady pouring the wine was a real pro. Owner Steve Lutz wasn’t available but his lineup of one Rose and four Pinot Noir wines were worthy of the surrounding and stunning vineyard views.

The Rose’ was lighter in style with big acidity but a nice bottle for the $18 price point. I found three of the four Pinots to be really outstanding wines. His Le Nez had an understated beauty, soft on the palate with a soft finish that most any wine lover would enjoy. There aren’t many $30 bottles in the valley any better.

His two estate Pinots at $45 and $55 were fabulous wines. They were light in style but with more nuance and secondary flavors. They were simply great Pinot Noirs. The top bottle had been open a day and just didn’t hold up well. Lenne’ is a small production winery but it’s making great wine. It’s a place to visit when you come to Oregon.

Saffron Fields' very cool tasting room.

Saffron Fields’ very cool tasting room.

The highlight of the day was a winery just down that gravel road from Lenne’ – Saffron Fields. Each of the four wines poured in the open-air, ultra-modern tasting room was great.

Winemaker Tony Rynders does a beautiful Chardonnay with 50 percent oak and stainless steel. It’s rich and very aromatic with hints of peach and kiwi. A really beautiful wine for $40. Rynders has a personal label called Tendril which really presented dark cherry flavors, spices, and nice dark raspberry goodness.

The Tendril and the 2011 Saffron Fields Vineyard Pinot were the two big winners. Both are small production wines and both sell for $48. I thought they both were as good as you’ll find in Oregon.

I had long heard of Kramer Vineyards and found its small Carlton tasting room on a side street. The best taste was the sparkling Rose’ of Pinot Noir. For a mere $24, the sparkler surpassed many I’ve tasted at a much higher price point. The Chardonnay and Pinot Noir were solid but not spectacular. I met winemaker Kimberly Kramer who discussed her use of oak in wines and how she uses oak of varying ages to add complexity.

Finally, I made a stop in the De Ponte  tasting room. I had visited the winery a few years ago. I loved almost everything on the tasting list. The fun started with a 2012 Melon de Bourgogne which is known as a lovely white wine grape from France’s Muscadet region – but no, it’s not that grape. I has tropical fruit and a bit of pineapple. The wine was rich and refreshing, really something different for $25.

I liked all three 2011 Pinots poured by assistant winemaker Suzanne Oliver in the tasting room. Each had the characteristic Oregon earthiness that makes these wines special. All three wines were priced at $44.

Monday is a little bit of scouting and a trip in to McMinnville before heading to Portland to welcome my eight wine tourists to the Willamette Valley.

In Oregon to Lead First Wine Tour

08 Sunday Jun 2014

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Our lodging - Black Walnut Inn

Our lodging – Black Walnut Inn

Oregon weather is enough to take your breath away with cool 70s and that majestic view of Mount Hood flying into Portland.

But I’m on the West Coast to host my first Grape Sense wine trip. Four couples will join me Monday evening for five nights and four days of Willamette Valley wine, food, and beauty.

I plan to post each day but thought I’d get something up about the itinerary. I flew out Sunday morning to take the afternoon and Monday to finalize a few details and scout wineries, restaurants, and Inns for future Grape Sense travel. –

Later today (Sunday) I hope to get to Lenne’ and Saffron Fields. I’ll spend the night in Carlton before heading over to McMinnville and an afternoon appointment with the relatively new Elizabeth Chambers winemaker.

Monday night the group arrives in downtown Portland. We’ll spend the night there after a late-evening welcoming reception – or a couple glass of Pinot!

Tuesday morning we head to the valley for four days. Our adventure begins at old friends Lange Estate Winery. We’ll do a tour and private tasting and have lunch catered by Red Hills Market – all enjoyed with stunning views of the Willamette Valley.

Our second stop of the day will be the much-heralded Alexana Winery. I’ll be sharing details and thoughts about the wine and wine experience from each stop in my evening post. We’re staying at one of the valley’s very best Inn’s – the Black Walnut. We’ll cap our evening off with a fabulous meal at the ‘winemaker’s restauriant’ – Nick’s Italian Café in McMinnville.

The vineyards and view at in Willamette's Dundee HIlls

The vineyards and view at in Willamette’s Dundee HIlls

Wednesday is our big wine day. We begin at Domaine Drouhin with an exciting Drouhin vs. Drouhin experience. In the private tasting room, we’ll sampled Domaine Drouhin side-by-side with Drouhin’s storied French Burgundy.

Wednesday lunch will be hosted by friends Bill and Donna at Winderlea Winery in the Dundee Hills. This small producer, not widely available in the Midwest, is the real definition of a boutique winery. Vidon Vineyards will be our afternoon stop. The group will taste single-clone Pinot Noir and Don Hagge’s great 3 Clone blend. We’ll do steaks, burgers, and maybe even beers Wednesday night in Carlton.

The weather forecast for the week is low 70s so we’re hoping the forecast holds and the rain stays away. There is a chance for showers Thursday but that day is scheduled for our trip to the Columbia River Gorge. I often preach to anyone who will listen that you just CAN NOT go to Portland and not visit the Gorge. We’ll have lunch in Hood River and make the trip back out to the valley.

A real highlight will be Thursday night’s dinner at the artisan restaurant Recipe. It features all the latest produce and products from Oregon’s full bounty. Any Willamette best restaurant list is going to have Recipe at or near the top.

Friday is the last day of our trip and we begin by visiting the wonderful ladies at Republic of Jam. We’ll take a little free time to explore Carlton then head to Hawk’s View Winery where I’m anxious to taste their white Pin

We then return to Portland for the night and the end of our trip. I’ll be updating Facebook and Twitter throughout each day. Follow our Pinot adventure and maybe you’ll get the taste for wine travel!

 

Looking into 2014 Crystal Ball

06 Monday Jan 2014

Posted by in Newspaper Column 2014

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crystal-ball

The only good thing about looking forward at the start of the year is no one remembers your predictions a week or so later. That said, there are lots of trends and movement in the wine world which will have an impact on the average wine drinker.

Grape Sense LogoFor the first Grape Sense of 2014, it makes sense to look ahead a bit.

Moscato – That sweet white wine that seems to be everywhere is exploding. But that’ s not news since it all started in 2012. Sales increased by a third in 2012 with little sign of letting up in 2013. The light alcohol and light fizz has proven wildly popular with younger consumers.

From hip-hop artists to long-time sweet wine lovers, Moscato has become the go-to beverage. California is providing most of the sweet white but look for other labels to join the band wagon. Furthermore, check out your local grocery, wine shop, or liquor store shelves and you’ll find major labels offering a variety of sweet wines.

Red wine blends are another area continuing to expand and grow. A good red wine blend can go from the inoffensive to nuanced and satisfying to even the most discerning wine drinker. Better yet, you can often get big bold flavors from a good California or Washington blend at a fraction of the cost of single variety wines. Red wine blends offer some of the best value options for better wine.

The biggest sales growth areas are Moscato, sweet red blends, and Malbec. Malbec is a great intro point for those trying to expand beyond Cabernet, Merlot and Pinot Noir. It’s a great food wine and a wonderful way to start exploring beyond your normal tastes.

wineappMillenials and apps have been the talking points for much of the wine media over the last few years. Younger people are the fastest growing segment of the wine-buying population. They do drink sweeter wines but they are also very willing to try something new.

The younger section of the market is also driving wineries, marketers, and everyone else in the wine business to go more digital. There are smart-phone applications to find wine, rate wine, and journal your own wine drinking.

Packaging is another area where innovation continues to push the market. Wine is turning up on shelves, particularly value wine, in single servings, all shapes of paper and glass containers, and other new ways to supplant the 750ml bottle.

wine-celeb_ticketsand Indiana to get the world’s attention with its small production of wine. But the quality of the ‘other states’ wines continue to improve. Each year I visit quite a few Indiana wineries, and a few in surrounding states, the quality continues to show considerable improvement. It’s not just the top producers but some of the smaller state wineries have learned to focus on quality.

Wine travel is a great vacation and another industry that just grows and grow. I will be joining that trend in 2014 by leading a boutique-type experience in Oregon’s Willamette Valley in June. Whether it’s a trip you plan yourself or an organized wine adventure, the internet has really made it easy to plan a great wine vacation. Click here if you’d like information on the Oregon trip I’m hosting or simply to add your name to my mailing list for future trips.

Happy New Year to all. Thank you for reading Grape Sense!

White Pinot – Different, Expensive

16 Saturday Mar 2013

Posted by in Oregon

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Many serious wine drinkers are serious Pinotphiles. Count me among the serious Pinot Noir junkies when it comes to great wine.

That’s partially why I couldn’t resist trying Domaine Serene‘s Coeur Blanc in the summer of 2011 while visiting Oregon’s Willamette Valley.

The Coeur Blanc is Pinot Noir – but it’s white wine!

A handful of Oregon wineries have experimented with turning Pinot to a rich and smooth white wine. Read Ryan Reichert’s story here from Palate Press.

A shot taken during my 2011 visit.

A shot taken during my 2011 visit.

Domaine Serene is largely credited as one of the pioneers of white Pinot Noir. I tasted it for the first time during that 2011 stop and was taken by just how much I enjoyed it. On the nose, it smells like a light and red Pinot Noir. On the palate it tastes like a very light bodied pinot but with an unusual richness and mouth feel.

It doesn’t have much acid but different should be different. It’s lovely wine!

coeur blanc“I like creating a white wine like this on the feminine side of things, polished, with richness and creaminess,” Domaine Serene winemaker Erik Kramer told the Eugene Register-Guard. “It’s a special wine for us. You have the varietal character of a pinot noir, but above all, the texture is that of a white wine.”

It’s a light gold color with a very faint hint of pink, almost salmon. This is not inexpensive wine and I’m not sure it’s worth the price but it’s definitely different than any white wine you’ve ever tried.

On Cellartracker and other sites, I found it ranging from $75-$95. My memory is that I paid $80 for this wine. The suggested retail price on the current 2010 release is $85.

Domaine Serene Coeur Blanc, $85, Very Highly Recommended, – for those who can afford it and love trying something different!

Oregon Wine Keeps Raising the Bar!

10 Sunday Mar 2013

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Thursday's Tasting Mob at Chicago's City Winery

Thursday’s Tasting Mob at Chicago’s City Winery

Oregon wine long ago found its niche on the world stage as a home for great Pinot Noir. That reputation is growing as the wines become more widely available.

A tasting Thursday in downtown Chicago proved the wines are getting better. I’ve visited the Willamette Valley several times and find the wines improve with each visit.

More than 60 Oregon wine producers poured for 500 trade and media members Thursday afternoon and another 500 that night to customers shelling out $65 a person.

Many Oregon wineries, particularly the better boutique efforts, sell all of each year’s vintage. Jesse Lange, a winemaker who has always treated us like a friend, noted his winery has increased production nearly 10,000 cases the last five years.

The tasting was spectacular. Most of these wines are widely available in Midwestern states but not in huge supply. Obviously, the Willamette Valley Wineries Association thought it was time to expand Oregon’s presence in the Midwest with the first-ever Chicago event.

I managed to get to many different tables and still missed out on many I had never before visited. I do have quite a bit of material to use for future print stories and the blog.

Most of the wines listed here are top shelf offerings. After all, who wants to taste the entry level bottles at a tasting? Here are some of the real winners I tasted:

David Adelsheim

Adelsheim

Adelsheim 2010 Elizabeth’s Reserve Pinot Noir – It’s always safe and smart to turn to a region’s pioneers for a great bottle of wine. Big fruit, nice strawberry, and incredible balance make this one worth $55.

Bergstrom

Bergstrom

Bergstrom Sigrid 2011 Chardonnay – Karen Bergstrom defines this wine the “very best of the best” from their vineyards. It was bright and fresh Chardonnay. $80

Crumbled Rock 2010 Julliard Vineyard Pinot Noir – I tasted the Crumbled Rock wine in 2007 from their first vintage as winemakers. Gerard Koschal, owner and winemaker, had been growing and selling grapes for some time before making wine. That first vintage, released in 07, was more unremarkable than memorable. So it was a delightful surprise to be blown away by their beautifully wine in Chicago. $35.

Evening Land 2010 Mad Hatter Chardonnay – Brace yourself regular readers, the Evening Land might have been THE best wine I tasted all day. Largely whole cluster Chardonnay with Chablis-like characteristics of acid and minerality. It might have also been the most surprising wine I’ve tasted from Oregon. Without mentioning names, this was a wine more than one producer said I must taste. They were right. $40.

Dobbes

Dobbes

Joe Dobbes Grenache Blanc – Hobbes is a winemaker and consultant who wanted to use his experience to do something different. He is buying all of the grenache blanc grown in Oregon from the southern Rogue Valley and making a light, spectacular version of the southern French classic. If you’re unfamiliar with Grenache Blanc, one critic suggested thinking of Pinot Gris with more richness. I’d agree. I loved this wine! $26

Lange

Lange

Lange 2011 Reserve Pinot Noir – It’s simply one of the most consistent wines, at a reasonable price, you can find at the price point from Oregon. Full disclaimer: Regular readers know I’m a Lange fan. Jesse and Don have always been available and accomodating during my visits to the valley. But their wines just get better and better. Don wasn’t one of the original pioneers, but his name belongs right beside them. $32

Penner-Ash

Penner-Ash

Penner-Ash 2011 Dussin Vineyard Pinot Noir – A classic bottle of Oregon Pinot with nice big fruit and the balance of one of Oregon’s great, great winemakers – Lynn Penner-Ash. $65.

Sweat

Sweat

Winderlea 2009 Ana Vineyard Pinot Noir – Winderlea makes the term ’boutique winery’ work every time you taste their wines. Bill Sweat and Donna Morris produce just 2,000-3,000 cases annually but they make gorgeous Pinot and wonderful Chardonnay. The Ana Vineyard is classic Oregon. $48