2016 Cabernet Franc Reserve

Bright strawberry and citrus notes play off a savory, herbal spice, making this vintage one of our most memorable. Cabernet Franc is a wonderfully versatile pairing wine that holds up nicely to tomato based dishes like pasta and pizza while easily balancing difficult herbal flavors like oregano, sage and rosemary. One of our favorite and simple pairing recipes is Sun-dried Tomato and Goat Cheese Frittata – recipe card is included with the purchase of the wine. Limited production of 200 cases. Our Cabernet Franc cellars beautifully for up to 15 years.

Pairs well with: Sun-dried tomatoes, pizza, lasagna, herbs, seafood stew


2016 Bangsund Pinot Noir Reserve

Our Bangsund Reserve Pinot is truly something special. From the warm weather Bangsund Vineyard in The Dalles, a climate emulating the French Left Bank style of Pinot Noirs.

Alluring aromas of dark rose, moss and chocolate covered cherry lead into a bright and smooth palate featuring hints of plum, leather and dried cranberry. A touch of minerality lends an earthy and slightly effervescent quality to this stunning vintage.

The Bangsund Reserve Pinot Noir derives its excellence from several factors. First, the vines are over 40 years old and grown by the vineyard owner John Bangsund. To say that he knows his vineyard well is a gross understatement. We often pick the regular Bangsund Pinot Noir grapes just a little before full ripe in order to guard against the huge heat waves that can hit this site during harvest. In the instance of the Reserve however, there is one portion of the Pinot Noir Vineyard that is shaded for about 2 ½ hours a day relative to the rest of the vineyard thanks to some well-placed trees. We take advantage of the lower heat in the shade by picking that little section of Pinot Noir well after the rest because we don't have to worry about ripening running away from us. This offers fair testimony to the quality of Bangsund Vineyard in The Dalles, Oregon and the unique flavors of the wines of the Columbia Gorge region.


Silver Medal Winner! 2019 SIP McMinnville Food & Wine Classic


2016 Chardonnay McDuffee

The Chardonnay we produce from premium McDuffee Vineyard grapes exudes notes that resemble the fabled Montrachet Chardonnays of France yet are distinctly Columbia Gorge. Fermented and then aged in mellowed American and French Oak (barrels that have been used for other more oaky white wines for at least two years prior to us using them), our 2016 Chardonnay is bright and lively with tempting aromas of lemon custard and apricot. The palate is soft and smooth with a silky mouth-feel and a pleasantly light acidity. Our Chardonnay is not at all oaky nor is it an austere stainless steel style; rather, it represents a perfect balance for Chardonnay lovers from both sides of the spectrum. One of our favorite and simple pairings with this gorgeous wine is John’s Dungeness Crab Cakes with a Lemon Aioli Sauce, a custom recipe we provide with every purchase.[show_more more="Read More” less="Show Less”]Terry McDuffee’s Vineyard is located in the Mill Creek Valley just south of The Dalles, Oregon. A sleepy farm community home to numerous agricultural crops including cherries, wheat, apples, grapes and more. The vineyard was planted in 1983 with Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. Mcduffee Vineyard is a beautiful site with limestone soil; similar to that of southern Cote du Beaune, so naturally, Chardonnay thrives here. [/show_more]

Pairs well with: seafood (mussels, clams, crab, lobster), Caesar salad, bisque


2015 Chardonnay Reserve

Aged in neutral oak, the Chardonnay Reserve has an extraordinarily balanced acidity with a rich fruit quality. Smooth notes of gardenia, honey suckle, and delicate macadamia nuttiness tempt the nose while the palate contains nuances of Meyer lemon custard and orange peel, and finishing with a lingering and light acidity perfect for food. Our favorite pairing with this wine is Anna’s Butternut Squash Soup, a recipe card provided with every purchase of the wine.[show_more more="Read More” less="Show Less”]Our 2015 Chardonnay Reserve comes from the McDuffee vineyard south of The Dalles. The vineyard owner, Terry McDuffee, is a veterinarian who has lavished enormous attention to the vineyard. Lonnie Wright, who also owns and operates The Pines Vineyard and Winery, manages McDuffee along with several others of the vineyards we source from. It has long been known as an exceptional site and we have enjoyed this fruit for over 13 years. As with all of our Chardonnays, it was fermented in the barrel with the lees stirred throughout the first six months. We have a medieval approach to our wine and our Chardonnays in particular. The age-ability of this vineyard shows extremely well in the Chardonnay Reserve. [/show_more]

Pairs well with: Brie, seafood, nuts, Caesar, bisque, sautéed vegetables, honey glazed desserts, custards, flan, crème brulee

 

BRONZE MEDAL WINNER

2019 Savor NW Wine Competition