spaswinefood: Feeling fine at Pfeiffer Winery

Spaswinefood had heard so much about Oregon's Willamette Valley wineries that I looked forward to visiting. So when the Wine Bloggers Conference 2012 (#WBC12) Pre-conference trip option included visiting South Willamette Valley wineries near Eugene I signed up. I was excited to do so because of one the wineries on the list was a visit to Pfeiffer Winery. However, when conference time arrived there was a heat wave, with record high temperatures. Despite the heat we were off to explore this boutique winery.

Pfeiffer Winery is located at 25040 Jaeg Road, Junction City on a 70-acre sustainable vineyard. The winery is the first solar powered winery in South Willamette Valley. The tasting room is in a beautiful setting surrounded by vineyards. Near the tasting room there is a beautiful water garden. It is an absolutely stunning setting for a picnic.

Vineyard view from the garden at Pfeiffer Winery © Spaswinefood

We received a great welcome at this winery by the owners, Danuta and Robin Pfeiffer. After a brief history of the winery we were led into the tasting room. Despite the heat outside the tasting room was perfectly cool. In fact, when we walked in from the heat it was such a wonderful feeling. The tasting room was beautifully lit with candles and some accent lights. It was perfect place just to relax and taste wine. Now, I was feeling fine.

Pfeiffer Winery © Spaswinefood

The majority of the grapes (90%) grown at Pfeiffer are purchased by King Estate Winery. The remaining 10% is used to produce small case lots. Given the limited production of high quality wines Pfeiffer wines are only available at the winery and through the wine club. The winery is well known for its Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris. The winery also produces Chardonnay, Merlot, Muscat, Port, Rosé, Viognier and blends.

We started our wine tasting with some cool white wines (Viognier, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Muscat, Rosé and blends). There is nothing more perfect than cool white wines on a hot summer's day.

Pfeiffer Winery Grey Cat (blend of Muscat and Pinot Gris) © Spaswinefood

After we tasted the white wines Robin did a Pinot Clinic with us. Wine Predator has written about our Pinot Clinic experience. We tasted some great Pinot Noirs ( Pinot Noir Blue Dot Reserve 2005, 2007 and 2008, Pinot Noir Blue Line 2008 and Pinot Noir 2009 and 2010). Next, we tasted Merlot 2007, Ports and Tango 2007 (blend of Merlot and Marechal Foch).

Pfeiffer Winery 2005 and 2007 Pinot Noir Blue Dot Reserve © Spaswinefood

Ready to taste Pinot Noir at Pfeiffer Winery © Spaswinefood

Checking Pinot quality at Pfeiffer Winery © Spaswinefood

My favorite reds were the Pinot Noir Blue Dot Reserve 2005, 2007 and 2008. My favorite whites were the blends. I liked the Muscat (for it unique dryness) and the Gray Cat. You can check reviews of Pfeiffer wines by Cork'd and Snooth. You can read a great post by Wine Julia's describing her visit to Pfeiffer Winery. Also, check out the awesome photos in Wandering Wino's photographic essay that he posted after his visit.

After we completed our wine tasting we returned to the garden. There Robin explained some of the hard decisions that wine growers have to make during the grape growing season (for example, when to drop fruit and how much).

Visiting with Robin Pfeiffer in the winery garden © Spaswinefood

Pfeiffer Winery grapes © Spaswinefood

Remember if your travels take you to Oregon put Pfeiffer Winery on your list. If it happens to be a hot summer's day put it right at the top of your list. For a complete list of South Willamette Valley wineries see Southern Willamette Valley Wineries Association. The Oregon Wine Board provides a complete list of Oregon wine regions. I invite you to join me in my travels in Oregon and elsewhere in search of the best in Spaswinefood. You may also visit my travel column at the Examiner.