Willamette Valley Vineyards Announces the 10th Annual Contest Winner

(Turner, Ore. – August 15, 2014) – Willamette Valley Vineyards (WVV) has just concluded its annual “Why I Love Oregon Pinot Noir” contest. WVV asked Pinot Noir lovers from around the country to tell them “Why I Love Oregon Pinot Noir.” The most creative entry was chosen to win an all-expense-paid trip to Oregon Wine Country and Willamette Valley Vineyards.

After sifting through hundreds of photos, videos, poems and stories, a small committee within the winery chose the winning entry. The winner, David Meyer of Portland, Oregon submitted a new spin on the 1937 song by Rodgers & Hart entitled, “Where or When.” The winning video/song is available to view at www.wvv.com/contest. "In July, my father Alan Meyer heard about the contest and came up with these new lyrics. He very enthusiastically asked me to sing and submit it, so I listened to Frank Sinatra's version non-stop for two days!” said David. “Like the song says, I may not remember where or when I first fell in love with Oregon Pinot Noir, but that hasn't put a damper on our relationship.” WVV Head Winemaker and one of this year’s judges, Don Crank said, “What we find really creative is the fact that we asked why you love Oregon Pinot Noir and this guy is telling us he loves it, but just can’t remember where or when.” Don further states, “Sometimes that’s just how it goes.”

Entries for next years “Why I Love Oregon Pinot Noir” contest will be accepted May 1st through July 31st, 2015 at www.wvv.com/contest.

About Willamette Valley Vineyards:

Willamette Valley Vineyards has been producing high quality, sustainably grown Pinot Noir and other cool-climate varieties since 1983 – earning the distinction as “One of America’s Great Pinot Noir Producers” by Wine Enthusiast Magazine and was named “2011 Winery of the Year” by Wine & Spirits Magazine. Our mission is to create elegant, classic Oregon wines from the Willamette Valley Appellation while serving as stewards of the land. Founder Jim Bernau believes we are rewarded with wines that taste better when made from naturally grown wine grapes. Tending the vines by hand and using minimalist winemaking techniques in small-batch fermentations, we strive to capture the unique sense of place that comes from our soils.

We were the first to use natural cork in our bottles certified by the Rainforest Alliance to Forest Stewardship Council standards and offer 10 cents for any wine bottle returned to our tasting room for recycling. To reduce our carbon footprint, all company tractors and delivery vehicles run on biofuel – and we offer up to 50 gallons a month free to our employees for commuting to work. Willamette Valley Vineyards wines have been served at the White House, the James Beard House, and they are available at some the finest restaurants and wine shops throughout the world.