It's no surprise that Oregon stood out in this comparative tasting of Pinot Gris, which not coincidentally showcased a number of the Northwest's top talents. And this winter will mark the 50th anniversary of the federal government approving the label for the first Pinot Gris produced in the country — The Eyrie Vineyards 1970 Oregon Pinot Gris by the late David Lett in the … [Read more...] about Oregon stands out throughout Pinot Gris tasting
pinot gris
Reustle-Prayer Rock Vineyards 2021 Estate Selection Pinot Grigio, Umpqua Valley $26
Of the 48 career Platinums awarded to Southern Oregon’s Stephen Reustle, 19 have been for work with white wines, but not one for Pinot Gris. Perhaps this fall will produce his first. Some of the vines for this program are nearly 20 years old, and they are thriving in this valley north of Roseburg. The beautiful nose is filled with lemon verbena, peach blossom and dusty white … [Read more...] about Reustle-Prayer Rock Vineyards 2021 Estate Selection Pinot Grigio, Umpqua Valley $26
Trella Vineyards 2016 Pinot Gris, Umpqua Valley $16
Best Buy! Terry Brandborg in Elkton, Ore., has been quietly behind a number of Southern Oregon’s top wines — including those of Trella Vineyards, selected as the 2020 Oregon Winery to Watch by Great Northwest Wine’s editorial team. Owners/physicians Stephen and Susan Williams grow the 7 acres of grapes that they hire Brandborg to vinify. He turned three wines from the 2016 … [Read more...] about Trella Vineyards 2016 Pinot Gris, Umpqua Valley $16
Flora Jane Cellars 2021 Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley $22
Johnny Brose, the winemaking instructor at Chemeketa College’s Northwest Wine Studies Center in Salem, would be letting down his students if he doesn’t use this Pinot Gris, under his new personal brand, as a lesson plan. Other winemakers could take notes, too. Brose worked a year in the cellar at King Estate before spending two vintages making wine in Washington’s Yakima … [Read more...] about Flora Jane Cellars 2021 Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley $22
Mt. Hood Winery 2021 Estate Pinot Gris, Columbia Gorge $26
When the Bickford family built their tasting room, they took out a few of the 80-year-old pear trees on their Century Farm. Perhaps it’s no coincidence the Pinot Gris which Rich Cushman makes for them seems loaded with Hood River Valley orchard fruit — pear, peach, apricot and apple. There also are slices of lychee, cantaloupe and nectarine that head into the layered finish of … [Read more...] about Mt. Hood Winery 2021 Estate Pinot Gris, Columbia Gorge $26