Happy Memorial Day to you all. As we continue our march in Oregon Wine Month, we bring you one of the stalwart wineries of the Willamette Valley. A brilliant businessman, Stoller founder, Bill Stoller, has a degree in business and economics from Pacific University, as well as an MBA from Portland State University. In 1983, Bill co-founded Express Employment Professionals, currently the largest privately-held staffing company in the world, with more than 800 offices in three countries. Additionally, in 2001, he founded Xenium, a human resources outsource company. This business success has enabled Bill to pursue his passion of wine and to contribute to his community. Bill's most prominent civic commitment was to his alma mater, as the former chair of the Pacific University Board of Trustees.
Bill acquired his Willamette Valley family property from his cousin in 1993, and saw the potential with the terroir in place. He planted 10 acres each of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in 1995 and the winery now spans vineyard is the largest contiguous vineyard in Oregon's Dundee Hills. The property spans 400 acres, with 225 acres focused on growing vines at elevations ranging from 220 to 640 feet. Ten varietals are planted in this vineyard, including Viognier, Pinot Meunier and even Aligote.
The new releases by Stoller were beautiful across the board. Look to their brilliant new 2018 Stoller Rose (WWB, 90) which has a wonderful mouthfeel and is crafted in the refreshing style. Even better was the 2017 Stoller Pinot Noir (WWB, 91) which shows a great sense of freshness and wonderful red and dark fruit flavors. Learn more about this outstanding Oregon winery at https://www.stollerfamilyestate.com Here are the beautiful new wines by Stoller.
2018 Stoller Rose- Sourced from a host of Willamette Valley Vineyards, the 2018 Stoller Rose opens with very pretty aromatics of red rose petals, guava and cran-cherry, with lighter earthy undertones that all build on the nose. The palate has wonderful freshness and a lithe minerality. Light red fruits dance with citrus rind and minerals on the palate. Highly refreshing, this really needs a hot summer day, as this excellent new wine would pair marvelously with a host of foods, most notably fresh oysters. Drink 2019-2023- 90
2018 Stoller Chardonnay- The 2018 Stoller Chardonnay awakens to a bouquet of white peach, kiwi and shades of toasted hazelnut with vanilla cream accents that round out the nose. The silky texture accents the ripe orchard fruits and vanilla cream flavors that build on the palate. While this is marvelous in its youth, this has both the verve and richness to cellar well for another ten years. Drink 2019-2026- 91
2017 Stoller Pinot Noir- The 2017 Stoller Pinot Noir is another terrific effort from this storied estate. Cran-cherry cola and shades of peat moss enter the fray on the nose. The palate shows a good combination of richness and minerality, delivering red and dark fruits that dance with minerals and citrus rind undertones. This fantastic new wine will cellar well for a decade or more. Drink 2019-2029- 91