North Willamette Valley is not just Pinot Noir

Willamette Valley Wine Country, Oregon is home to over 200 wineries. The Willamette Valley is well known for its Pinot Noir but the area also produces great Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Merlot, Riesling and others. It is without doubt that Oregon wines are widely known. A recent article in the LA Times  noted that the Willamette Valley Pinots have established their own unique place in the wine world. Oregon wine making started in 1840's, with commercial wine making beginning in the 1960's. Oregon is now the third largest wine producer in the country. During the Wine Bloggers Conference 2012 (#WBC12) in Portland, Oregon, I had the wonderful opportunity to explore some of North Willamette Valley’s wineries. What I discovered is that not only does the North Willamette Valley have great Pinot Noir but also it is home to some of the most passionate winemakers in the country.

Garden Vineyards, North Willamette Valley © Spaswinefood

Frommers describes Willamette Valley Wine Country as being non-pretentious, consisting of mostly small family owned wineries. While the area is known for its cool climate wines, we just happen to be visiting during a heat wave. However, despite record high temperatures all the wine bloggers boarded buses and headed out to visit Willamette Valley wineries. After boarding the bus we found out that our bus (lucky bus #7) was going to the North Willamette Valley. Our hosts were the North Willamette Vintners. During our visit we were introduced to Apolloni Vineyards, Elk Cove Vineyards, Garden Vineyards, J. Elbin Winery, Montinore Estate and Tualatin Estate.

Wine bloggers check out North Willamette Valley Train Trussel © Spaswinefood

The North Willamette Vintners treated us to a wonderful afternoon and evening. Upon arrival at Garden Vineyards we were escorted inside to escape the heat. There, our hosts served us appetizers and wines perfect for a hot summer’s day. Our white wine tasting included: Apolloni 2010 Pinot Blanc, Elk Cove 2011 Pinot Gris, Garden Vineyards 2010 White Table Wine, J. Albin 2011 Pinot Gris, Montinore 2011 Borealis and Willamette Valley Vineyards 2011 Dry Rosé.

Willamette Valley Vineyards 2011 Dry Rosé  © Spaswinefood

Later, we retreated to the covered back patio area; then as the temperature started to lower we did a Pinot Noir tasting. During the tastings winemakers Ben Thomas, John Albin, Alfredo Apollini and Stuart Wilson, along with Mari Yeckel (Tualatin Estate Wine Ambassador) and Elk Cove's Assistant Winemaker shared insights into winemaking in the North Willamette Valley.

Pinot Noir Tasting © Spaswinefood

Pinot Noir Tasting © Spaswinefood

Just before dinner in the lower patio we did a walk in the vineyards.

Late Afternoon Vineyard Tour © Spaswinefood

 Vineyard at Garden Vineyards © Spaswinefood

  Grapes Ripening at Garden Vineyards © Spaswinefood

Throughout the afternoon the winemakers lead tastings, discussions and vineyard tours. They also helped pour our wine. 

Ben Thomas, winemaker Montinore Estate  © Spaswinefood

Ben Thomas, winemaker Montinore Estate  © Spaswinefood

 Alfredo Apolloni, winemaker Apolloni Vineyards © Spaswinefood

Melinda and Stuart Wilson, Proprietors of Garden Vineyards prepared dinner from the organic foods grown in their vineyard. Dinner was amazing and so was the hospitality of the winemakers who hosted us.

The perfect organic Salad © Spaswinefood

An Amazing Vegetarian Salad  © Spaswinefood

As we left that evening, folks from the area were gathered to listen to entertainment under the night sky and sip some wine. Garden Vineyards is a welcoming winery. Without doubt North Willamette Vintners were great hosts. Special thanks to Laurine Apolloni, Apolloni Vineyards for all her efforts!

 Garden Vineyards © Spaswinefood

Garden Vineyards  © Spaswinefood

The North Willamette Valley wineries offer a unique wine country experience where the winemakers are a visible part of the community. It is a wine community where winemakers collaborate with each other and contribute to the broader community. They also bring an enthusiasm to wine making at the grassroots level. Many of the winemakers are early career and so it will be great to watch the wines from this area take-off. North Willamette Valley is the area to watch.

 Garden Vineyards © Spaswinefood

The Oregon Wine Board provides a list of Oregon wine regions but do not forget to put North Willamette Valley on your list. 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. 

Sharon

September 2012

Willamette Valley, Oregon

© Spaswinefood

  

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