2022 Sokol Blosser Willamette Valley Estate Pinot Gris

Variety: 100 % Pinot Gris

Region of Origin: Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon

Tasting Notes

The nose has enticing scents of pear tart, lemon curd, and a hint of lychee, creating an energetic and inviting bouquet. The palate is crisp and refreshing featuring flavours of tart green apple and citrus.  Additional notes of nectarine, pear, and subtle floral undertones contribute to its complexity. It has high acidity and brisk mouthfeel, leading to a clean and lingering finish. It is ideally suited to ceviche, seafood, light poultry, and fresh salads. Its refreshing nature also makes it a delightful aperitif.

Wine Making

The winemaker is Robin Howell. The grapes were harvested from our Estate vineyards sites in Eola-Amity and the Dundee Hills. A portion of the Pinot Gris was machine-picked, being destemmed in the field before pressing, and the rest was hand-picked before gently whole cluster pressed to minimize the extraction of bitterness from the skins. Fermentation took place with a diversity of yeasts over 15-20 days in stainless steel tanks. It was then aged for 3 months in stainless steel tanks remaining in contact with its fine lees and stirred multiple times during the aging process to broaden the palate. There is a weight and dimension in this wine due to picking a portion of the Pinot Gris with an acid focus and another portion with higher brix and therefore more fruit weight.

The Vineyard

Susan Sokol and Bill Blosser planted their first vines in the Dundee Hills in the Willamette Valley 1971 when there was no wine industry in Oregon. Today, with over 900 wineries and more than 37,000 acres of planted vineyards, Oregon has grown exponentially and its wines are available throughout the world. Sokol Blosser has survived, grown and prospered as a family-owned and run operation. The vineyards are now operated by their children; Alex, Alison, Nik, Susan and Bill Blosser.

2020 Neilson Santa Barbara Pinot Noir

Variety: 100 % Pinot Noir

Region of Origin: Santa Barbara County, California

Tasting Notes

This wine is a vibrant expression of California's Central Coast, showcasing the region's cool-climate character and the winery's dedication to quality. The nose opens with notes of cranberry, pomegranate, and cherry, complemented by hints of tobacco leaf, vanilla, and cola spice. The palate is medium bodied with bright acidity. Flavours of juicy red cherry and raspberry are prominent, accompanied by subtle gamey and floral undertones. It has a silky texture, with a lingering finish that highlights its red fruit and spice elements.

Wine Making

The winemaker is Anna Clifford, who assumed the role in 2020 after joining Nielson in 2018. Her background includes experience in Central Otago, New Zealand which is a region renowned for its Pinot Noir. This has influenced her approach to winemaking in California's Central Coast. The grapes are carefully chosen from select vineyards across Santa Barbara County, emphasizing cool-climate sites that contribute to the wine's bright acidity and red fruit characteristics. They undergo gentle pressing to preserve delicate flavours, followed by fermentation designed to maintain the varietal's expressive profile. The wine is matured in used French oak barrels for 10 months. This aging process imparts subtle oak nuances without overpowering the fruit, enhancing the wine's complexity and depth.

The Vineyard

The Nielson Vineyard, situated in Santa Barbara County, California, holds historical significance as the region's first commercial vineyard, established in 1964 by Uriel J. Nielson. At the time, Santa Barbara was considered too cold for viticulture, but Nielson's pioneering efforts proved otherwise, laying the foundation for the area's now-thriving wine industry. Located approximately 18 miles east of the Pacific Ocean, the Nielson Vineyard benefits from a unique microclimate. It is among the first sites in the valley to experience the morning fog lifting, allowing early sun exposure. This climatic feature contributes to the development of muscular Pinot Noirs with dark fruit and floral notes, as well as Chardonnays known for their mineral, citrus, and orange blossom characteristics.

2022 Edmeades Mendocino County Zinfandel

Variety: 100 % Zinfandel (Primitivo)

Region of Origin: Mendocino County, California

Tasting Notes

The 2022 Edmeades Mendocino County Zinfandel is a bold and expressive red displaying the unique character of California's North Coast. The aromas are concentrated with baking spices, including cinnamon and cloves, which transition into notes of blackberries, black currants, and dried sage. On the palate, it has a round and lush texture, with focused fruit expression. Flavours of ripe raspberries, cherries, red currants, and nectarines are complemented by hints of vanilla bean, graham crackers, and toasted oak. It is medium to full-bodied, featuring soft, integrated tannins and a refreshing acidity.  

Wine Making

The winemaker is Ben Salazar, who has been with Edmeades since 2012. Salazar brings a wealth of experience from his previous roles at Carmel Road and La Crema, contributing to Edmeades' reputation for producing bold, expressive Zinfandels that reflect the unique terroir of Mendocino County. Edmeades emphasizes a minimal intervention approach to highlight the distinctive characteristics of each vineyard. Grapes are sourced from Mendocino County’s rugged coastal mountains, working closely with a select group of growers known for producing some of the region's most prized fruit. The grapes undergo fermentation using native yeasts in small, open-top bins. Manual punch-downs are employed to gently extract colour and flavour, maintaining the integrity of the fruit. The wine is aged for 19 months in a combination of 64% French and 36% American oak barrels, with 25% being new oak.

The Vineyard

One notable vineyard used to source grapes for this wine is the Shamrock Vineyard, planted in 2001 at an elevation of 2,900 feet, making it one of the highest vineyards in Mendocino County. The vineyard is part of a 17,000-acre ranch that also runs 300 head of cattle. The high elevation and challenging growing conditions, including the threat of spring frosts and a short growing season, result in "on the edge" grape growing.