I love the inspired stories of the Oregon wine community. Today we share the journey of Lois and Dave Cho who founded Cho Wines several years back. 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.
This is the second year that I have tasted his wines. Both the Pet-Nats he made were well-intentioned and delicious. I love the 2019 Cho Wines ‘Brut Rose’ Sparkling Wine (OB, 92) which has tons of nerve and shows vibrant bright red fruit tones alongside serious tension. Learn more at getchowines.com and here are my reviews of the new Cho Wines.
2018 Cho Wines ‘Blanc de Noirs’ Sparkling Wine- Coming from this outstanding vintage, the ‘Blanc de Noirs’ is sourced from the Laurel Vineyard, in the Laurelwood District. Tart green apple flavors play well with kumquat rind and suggestions of juicy white peach on the palate, with copious minerals. Enjoy now and over the next ten years to come. Drink 2023-2033- 92
2022 Cho Wines ‘Petillant-Naturel’ Chardonnay- This 2022 Pet-Nat is very fresh and vibrant with unripe pear and apple flavors that combine with brilliant effervescence and stony minerals on the palate. Drink now. Drink 2023-2026- 90
2022 Cho Wines ‘Petillant-Naturel’ Pinot Noir- Coming from the Tualatin Hills AVA this Pet-Nat Rose offers beautiful finesse with delicate guava, teaberry and red raspberry flavors. Drink 2023-2025- 90
2022 Cho Wines Pinot Noir Blanc- Just the pinkest hue is offered in this beautiful new 2022 Pinot Noir Blanc. Cashew nut and bright kumquat zest combine with shades of cardamom and white tea on the palate. Refined and neatly textured, showing some solid underlying acidity, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2023-2033- 92
2021 Cho Wines ‘Dreamers Reserve’ Pinot Noir- The 2021 ‘Dreamers Reserve’ is a beautiful new boating by Cho Wines. Once on the nose this takes on layers of teaberry and marionberry laced with baking spices and shades of orange blossom. The palate is soft and refined with great texture and underling finesse. This is drinking beautifully now and will live on for at least another decade. Drink 2023-2035- 92
2019 Cho Wines ‘Brut Rose’ Sparkling Wine- The beautiful 2019 Cho Wine Rose Sparkling Wine comes from the Laurel Vineyard. A pretty salmon hue, this shows off bright acidity with tart cranberry, sour Yakima cherry and shades of kumquat zest on the palate. With wet stone and salty accents, this is drinking beautifully now. Drink 2023-2035- 92