This week’s post is coming at you a few days late, but for good reason: much-needed time off while playing tourist in the Willamette Valley. I always say I’m a consumer first, but after jumping into the wine industry for work, winery visits have taken on different goals - research, writing, education, work, content creation, etc. And it’s often done solo or with other industry colleagues (which is all very fun, but still “work”).
This past week, however, I went back to my roots as a wine tourist with my husband, experiencing things from the outside in. Heeled boots were laced, appointments made, cheeses sampled, restaurants discovered, and hours were spent sipping (not spitting!), savoring, and taking in the scenery. It was refreshing, luxurious, and a beautiful way to experience the wineries in my backyard.
But, since I’m bifurcated between these two types of wine country existences, my writer’s hat is always on. So, yes, I have some new favorites to spotlight for you, one of which you’ll find this week. Other things to keep an eye out for: a few “hot off the press” items below and a Malbec round-up later this week. Also, coming soon, a Yamhill-Carlton wineries’ showcase, insights from this year’s Hospices du Rhône event in Walla Walla, Washington, and bts at Livermore, California’s CabFrancAPalooza.
Now let’s dig in….
In My Glass
Champagne Frederic Savart “L’Ouverture” Premier Cru Extra Brut
Some nights just call for Champagne. Okay, all nights, if it were up to me. Champagne Frederic Savart is a solid choice at a reasonable price (for now!). His entry level “L’Ouverture” is 100% Pinot Noir vinified in part oak and part stainless. It’s luscious, savory, and filled with verve. If Champagne comes a calling, Fred is the answer - and a side of truffle fries won’t hurt either. Swoonworthy. $59
Mother Nature is increasingly unpredictable. At this time of year we can either be shredding lawyers, or shivering under a blanket. But that’s exactly when the chillable red Schiava hits best. Native to the mountainous Alto Adige region of northern Italy, this grape knows how to handle diurnal shifts*. A delicate, floral, light-bodied red with high acidity, low tannins, and moderately low alcohol, it’s perfect with Panzanella on the patio, or spicy sausage gnocchi by the fireplace. And this one is also good for our wild Mother Nature coming from the biodynamic and organic vineyards of Alois Lageder. Dual-purpose. $19
*Diurnal shifts are the difference between the average daytime high temperatures and the average nighttime low temperatures. Large diurnal shifts allow grapes to maintain higher levels of acidity which can lend more balance to the wine.
2020 Bernard Baudry Chinon Les Grezeaux
Quite possibly the best value in Chinon, this Cab Franc is what Loire lover’s dreams are made of - at least the ones into crunchy, juicy, red-fruited, silky, minerally, and even a touch meaty Cab Francs. From old vines at the bottom of a slope on a bed of gravel over a base of clay, sand, and limestone the grapes for this wine are hand-harvested, fermented with wild yeasts and zero SO2 during vinification, and it ages in large cement vats. Like most Chinon, it’s distinctive and not for everyone, but when I see Baudry on a list or a shelf, I pick it up - and pour it - immediately. They can age too, but why wait? Salient. $30
Okay, so it’s not yet available, but barrel tastings are often a perk of the “job.” And when I tell you this is one to keep your eyes out for (in 2025), I’m dead serious. I even joined the wine club at Benza Vineyards so I don’t miss it. And as you might recall from my article about Syncline Winery, I don’t do wine clubs often. Winemaker Paden West is a big fan of Oregon Chardonnay and his mentors are some of the best in the biz. Paden combines that absorbed knowledge with his own tremendous talent and the resulting Chards, Pinots & Syrah, in my opinion, are going to render some serious points (if that’s your thing). Points aren’t my thing, so here’s your hot take on that Chardonnay: it’s layered, it’s complex, it’s possibly goosebump inducing, and certainly expletive inducing. G- - Damn.
In the News
New Ownership
I have a long connection to the wineries of southwest Michigan - as a tourist, brand ambassador, and even as a cellar/vineyard hand. For those of you that have followed my adventures or asked for recommendations in the area, you might be familiar with Coloma, Michigan’s Karma Vista Vineyards & Winery. Well, change is coming!
Looking to retire, Joe and Sue Herman sold Karma Vista Vineyards & Winery to Zach and Lindsay Filkins. The lead guitarist and co-founder of One Republic and his wife will re-open Karma Vista with Napa Valley winemaker Jason Johnson (of Beaulieu Vineyards, Conn Creek, and most recently, Beringer Vineyards) as Filkins Vineyards. The re-opening is slated for May 1, 2024.
With that, my hat’s off to the Herman family. They are a part of Michigan wine country’s legacy and a key reason southwest Michigan is becoming a player among the USA’s well-regarded domestic wine regions. Karma Vista was owned and farmed by the Herman Family for seven generations and more than 170 years of fruit growing in Southwest Michigan. The vineyards and winery are located on one of the highest hills in the AVA, and with that not only comes expansive views, but prime grape growing conditions. The vineyards are able to grow the most sensitive of the European vinifera varieties and has been known for its Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, and Pinot Noir. The Herman family was also among the first growers in the state to eliminate the use of herbicides in the vineyard and focus on soil health. This sale represents the changing tide. Michigan wine country is gaining nationwide recognition. Congratulations to the Herman family and much success to the new owners of this legacy property.
Just Announced: Wine, Music & Mountains
Walla Walla Rocks! will officially launch this week. Early bird tickets go on sale Friday, April 19th for this inaugural 3-day music and wine festival in Walla Walla Washington to be held August 2-4, and whose ethos is discovering great wine, amazing music, and new friendships - all for a cause. A portion of ticket sales will go back to non-profits in the Walla Walla region. More to come on the line-up drops, charities, wineries, and so much more!
Long Overdue: The White Wine Emoji
New Zealand Winegrowers are launching a theme for the month of May: Pour Yourself a Glass of New Zealand. Why? Well, with International Sauvignon Blanc Day, International Pinot Gris Day, and International Chardonnay Day each falling next month and with white wines making up 93% of the NZ’s global exports, it seemed a fitting theme. To pair with that theme, NZ is relaunching its petition for the ever-elusive white wine emoji - and you can help! Leave your plea on the white wine emoji message board. Entries will be submitted with this year’s petition. And while you’re at it, grab a bottle or two of NZ white wines (or red!).
Here are a few recos: 2021 Villa Maria Woven Sauvignon Blanc, Huia Blanc de Blancs, or the Te Mata Gamay Noir.
In the Spotlight
Winery of the Week
Set at over 900-feet overlooking the Chehalem Mountains and Ribbon Ridge with soaring bald eagles and hawks flying over head, Jachter Family Wines sits in a special place and is one not to be missed on a trip to Willamette Valley.
Not only is it a stunning backdrop to sip winemaker Jared Etzel’s Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, but this 120-acre property, a dream turned reality, for owners David Jachter and his wife Karen, is also planted to small lots of Nebbiolo and Meunier.
After years spent in the car dealership business, David decided to jump into wine. And after some classes at UC Davis, he went on a search for the perfect property to not only grow grapes, but to make wine, and offer visitors something special. And these Jory soils with a south facing slope overlooking the valley was just the spot.
Jachter Family Wines new production facility will be set for harvest this year when all of the grapes processed will come from the estate. Until then you can get a sneak peak of what’s to come through their current releases sourced partially from the estate or like-minded, sustainably managed vineyards in Chehalem Mountains.
My picks: the 2020 J Reserve Chardonnay, 2021 Case Vineyard Pinot Noir, and the 2019 Pinot Noir Cuvée Karen Ann
In Production
This week my wine cellar adventures meant racking the cold-stabilized* rosé of Malbec to totes to send out for bottling. And up this week, racking the Gamay to tank to also prep for bottling, but this time we’ll be bottling by hand in-house. The 2023 vintage of Ricochet Wines are coming at ya soon!
*Cold stabilization of wine is a method used to keep tartaric acid crystals from forming after the wine has been bottled. By cooling the wine to just above freezing, tartaric acid forms tartrate crystals, also known as wine crystals or wine diamonds. These tartrates are then left behind in tank as the wine is prepped for bottling, making it less likely consumers will notice them after their wines are in the refrigerator. But not to worry, if you do see tartrates or “wine diamonds” they are completely harmless.
Results Are In
Last week, I asked you what mattered to your wine purchasing decisions. The results are in and somewhat surprising:
67% of you shop based on variety
17% shop based on what’s available
17% shop based on the meal/occasion
Price and producer/story didn’t rank at all.
This week, I’d love to know:
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