Asian-Americans are massively underrepresented in winemaking and in winery ownership. Lois Cho is the innovative CEO/founder of Cho Wines. Dave Cho who is Cho Wines founder/winemaker was introduced to the world of winemaking while performing music at local wineries in southern California and grew his passion for the trade while meditating with monks in Burgundy and sipping through California and beyond.
Cho moved his family from California to Oregon to pursue a career in the wine industry and has a degree in Enology & Viticulture from Oregon State University. While in Oregon Cho trained at Argyle Winery as well as Stoller Family Estate. In 2020 he finally made his own label of wines. He is the first Korean-American winemaker in Oregon.
I was very impressed with this new set of wines. Both the Pet-Nats he made were well-intentioned and delicious. 2020 brought less than ideal growing conditions with the smoke issues at harvest. However, Cho has crafted a beautiful 2020 Cho Wines ‘Laurel Vineyard’ Pinot Noir (OB, 90) which is fresh and vibrant with a smooth texture and lovely salty tones. The best wine I tasted was his 2015 Cho Wines ‘Blanc de Noirs’ Sparkling Wine (OB, 91) which spent a whopping 60 months tirage and exudes class with its delicate red fruit flavors. Learn more at getchowines.com and here are my reviews of the new Cho Wines.
2021 Cho Wines ‘Settler’s Hill’ Petillant-Natural- Made from Pinot Gris grapes, this offers juicy melon and white raisin flavors alongside kiwi on the palate. While the mousse is a bit out of balance, the flavors and salty undercurrents really sing. Drink 2022-2026- 90
2021 Cho Wines ‘Laurel Vineyard’ Petillant-Naturel- This good value and well-executed Pinot Noir Pet Nat delivers delicate red fruit flavors with rose water and salty notes on the palate. Enjoy over the next few years — preferably in the hot sun. Drink 2022-2026- 90
2021 Cho Wines ‘Blanc de Noirs’ Sparkling Wine- Sourced from the Laurel Vineyard, this sparkling wine utilizes Pommard, as well as 114, 115 and 777 clonal selections. Given 3 G/L dosage, this was stored on the lees for 60 months prior to disgorgement. A very pretty light hue, this dances on the palate with plenty of minerality, despite the heat of the vintage. Red raspberry, teaberry and shades of wild mushroom all combine with saline drenched red currants on the palate. Enjoy this well-made sparkling wine over the next seven plus years. Drink 2022-2029- 91
2021 Cho Wines ‘Laurel Vineyard’ Pinot Noir Blanc- Pear and gooseberry notes fill the nose alongside roasted hazelnut tones. The palate is fresh with a soft texture and comes off a touch sour with kumquat zest and sourdough bread tones. Enjoy over the next few years. Drink 2022-2026- 89
2019 Cho Wines ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir- Aged for 10 months in 20% new French oak, the 2019 Cho Wines ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir was sourced from the offers red plum, red raspberry and baking spice tones on the palate. A touch on the lighter side, enjoy this linear Pinot Noir over the next several years. Drink 2022-2027- 89
2020 Cho Wines ‘Laurel Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2020 Cho Wines ‘Laurel Vineyard’ Pinot Noir was sourced from this site in the Laurelwood District, and spent 11 months in oak prior to bottling. Juicy and ripe red fruits greet you, with salted cinnamon and orange rind accents on the palate. Enjoy this excellent effort from what was a very challenging vintage over the next few years. Drink 2022-2027- 90