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Owen Bargreen

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Great photo of Willamette Valley Vineyards Director of Winemaking Terry Culton.

Willamette Valley Vineyards

April 1, 2024

Today we share one of the oldest wineries in Oregon. Willamette Valley Vineyards founder, Jim Bernau, purchased the winery’s estate back in 1983 and  planted Pinot Noir (Pommard and Wadenswil clones), Chardonnay (Dijon and Espiguette) as well as Pinot Gris. Bernau took winemaking classes at UC Davis and finally started the winery full time in 1989. Willamette Valley Vineyards has grown considerably in the past 20 years, as they merged with Bill Fuller of Tualatin Vineyards (established in 1973), the O'Briens for Elton Vineyard (established in 1983) and Loeza Vineyard (planted in 2015). The winery now sources all of its Pinot Noir from its nearly 500 estate-grown vineyards.

I loved the new wines by Willamette Valley Vineyards as this has been some of the more consistent set of wines you find year after year. These wines are also easy to find in many wine shops and supermarkets. Look to the outstanding and rich new 2022 Willamette Valley Vineyards ‘Tualitin Estate’ Chardonnay (OB, 92) which is beautifully textured stuff that is smooth on the mouth. Here are the new releases from Willamette Valley Vineyards and learn more at http://wvv.com

2020 Willamette Valley Vineyards ‘Domaine Brut Rose’ Sparkling Wine- A treat to consume now, the bright and beautiful ‘Domaine Brut Rose’ offers tart red fruits with orange peel and plenty of finesse on the palate. Smooth and refined in its mousse, enjoy now and over the next eight plus years. Drink 2024-2032- 92

2022 Willamette Valley Vineyards ‘Dry’ Gewurtztraminer- You don’t see too many Gewurtztraminer bottlings in the Willamette Valley, as this one comes from the Tualatin Estate Vineyard which was planted back in 1973 by Bill Fuller. This is smooth on the mouth, with the faintest kiss of sweetness. Salted yellow plum and green apple flavors mingle well with juicy peach and minerals on the palate. Surprisingly this is 14.4% alcohol yet doesn’t come off at all heavy. Drink 2024-2030- 91

2022 Wiliamette Valley Vineyards Auxerrois- This unusual varietal is also planted at the Tualatin Estate Vineyard, set on Larelwood soils. The wine has a good weight with a smooth texture, displaying juicy pear and Macadamia nut flavors that mingle well with white tea flavors on the palate. Nicely textured, this is great to savor now and over the next few years. Drink 2024-2030- 91

2022 Willamette Valley Vineyards ‘Dry’ Riesling- Nicely textured, the 2022 Willamette Valley Vineyards ‘Dry’ Riesling delivers petrol notes on the nose with juicy pear and peach alongside salty soils. The palate is soft and inviting in its mouthfeel and bright underlying acidity. Drink 2024-2030- 91

2022 Willamette Valley Vineyards ‘Tualatin Estate’ Chardonnay- The outstanding 2022 Willamette Valley Vineyards ‘Tualatin Estate’ Chardonnay comes from this site set on Laurelwood soils. Stored in 25% new French oak for ten months, this delivers brioche and baking spice notes on the palate, alongside a silky texture and bright sense of verve. Medium-bodied, enjoy this delicious effort now and over the next eight years. Drink 2024-2032- 92

2021 Metis Red Wine- All coming from the Walla Walla Valley, the 2021 Metis Red Wine is smooth on the mouth with layers of rich loganberry and red cherry fruit flavors with plenty of stony minerals. Medium boded with a silky texture, enjoy now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2024-2032- 92

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