Winemaker's Notes
The wine gracefully incorporates blonde tones with lucidity in the glass. Aromas of guava, passion fruit and honeysuckle balance with a natural minerality from the local terroir. The fresh flavors of golden apple, pear and melon invite the consumer to experience both aroma and taste in tandem. The perceived sweetness and natural acidity show a balance to the wine with a rich, mid-palate, lingering finish.
Enjoy this refreshing dry white wine as an aperitif or with various food pairings including Oregon Dungeness crab, grilled salmon and baked white fish with basil tapenade. Seasonal salads and medium cheeses.
History
A combination of determination and extraordinary people has brought Willamette Valley Vineyards from a bold idea to one of the region's leading wineries, earning the title "One of America's Great Pinot Noir Producers," from Wine Enthusiast Magazine.
The “budwood” of Willamette Valley Vineyards began long before its founding in 1983 by vintner Jim Bernau. His Dad was hired by a California winemaker to secure the first winery license in Oregon since Prohibition. Jim’s Dad allowed him small tastes of Richard Sommer’s wine, lighting a path that led Jim from home winemaking to studies at UC Davis and eventually Beaune, France.
In 1983, Jim cleared away an old pioneer plum orchard in the Salem Hills and hand-watered his first plantings using 17 lengths of 75’ garden hose.
Jim's vision of organizing the support of wine enthusiasts to build a winery that would produce world-class wines through shared ownership has resulted in more than 16,000 owners. The winery's Common (WVVI) and Preferred (WVVIP) are traded on the NASDAQ.
The winery sources all of its barrel-aged Pinot Noir from its estate vineyards and practices environmentally sustainable farming. All of the vineyards have been certified sustainable through LIVE (Low Impact Viticulture and Enology) and Salmon-Safe programs since 1997.
