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). They make a wonderful range of wines including some great vintage bubbles and complex range of Pinots, as well as Pinot Gris and even a great Pinot Blanc.
I love the new 2023 Willamette Valley Vineyards ‘Ingram Estate’ Pinot Noir (OB, 94) which is a dense and delicious bottling with some great aging potential. Here are the new releases from Willamette Valley Vineyards and learn more at http://wvv.com
2023 Willamette Valley Vineyards ‘Elton’ Chardonnay- The 2023 ‘Elton’ comes fro this location in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA. This is a rich and viscous bottling with serious nerve on the palate. Dense melon fruits collide with orange zest and suggestions of cardamom laced pastry crust on the palate. Great now, enjoy this beautiful wine over the next eight plus years. Drink 2025-2033- 93
2023 Willamette Valley Vineyards ‘Dijon Clone’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 Willamette Valley Vineyards ‘Dijon Clone’ Pinot Noir was sourced from a range of vineyards and soil types. It is soft and juicy upon entry with loganberry and bing cherry fruit flavors alongside Mandarin orange rind on the palate. Enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2025-2031- 91
2023 Willamette Valley Vineyards ‘Ingram Estate’ Pinot Noir- The ‘Ingram Estate’ comes from this site in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA, set on deep Jory soils. This is beautifully-textured stuff with fantastic rocky soil character on the palate. Rich red and dark fruits parade with salty nuances, wet stone and shades of bergamot and black truffle shavings on the palate. Complex, dense and delicious, enjoy over the next ten plus years. Drink 2025-2035- 94
2021 Domaine Willamette Valley Rose Sparkling Wine- Beautiful pear and apple with kumquat rind and guava zest all fill the nose. The earthy accents really add to the intrigue as this delivers a soft mousse upon entry. Soft, showing beautifully-astringent red fruits with green apple accents on the palate, enjoy this beauty now and over the next eight years. Drink 2025-2033- 92