Wine News Briefs

DDO Ups Acreage

The Drouhin family, owners of Domaine Drouhin Oregon in the Dundee Hills and Joseph Drouhin in Burgundy, France, announced they have purchased Roserock, which is comprised of 279 acres in the Eola-Amity Hills American Viticulture Area (AVA), outside of Salem.

The property includes 122 acres that are planted, 111 with Pinot Noir and 11 with Chardonnay, plus an additional 80 acres that can be planted. It is located 25 miles south of Domaine Drouhin at 6750 N.E. Breyman Orchards Road, Dayton.

“When our father, Robert, bought land in Oregon in 1987, we were excited to discover what was possible,” said Domain Drouhin’s fourth-generation winemaker Veronique Drouhin-Boss. “We have the same feeling today: the potential in Roserock is incredible.”

According to the company’s website, Robert was invited to participate in the first International Pinot Noir Celebration in 1987, when he decided to purchase the Dundee Hills land, which had previously been Christmas trees and wheat. The winery produced its first vintage from purchased grapes in 1989 and built a four-story gravity flow winery in 1989.

“Roserock is a superb site and I was impressed by the balance of the vineyards,” said Veronique’s brother, Philippe Drouhin. “Our approach always starts with this foundation. We have long thought highly of the Eola-Amity Hills, so it feels right to have ownership in this part of the Willamette Valley.” He oversees the viticulture for both winery locations.

Roserock’s land was part of the original Gibson homestead, which dates to 1852. Four large parcels were acquired, developed and planted as high-end vineyards, starting in 2003. Prior to the acquisition, the fruit grown was sold to individual wineries.

Hearty Barrel Tour

The Heart of Willamette Winery Association will host its fourth annual Barrel Tour on Feb. 15. Guests will board a guided bus to tour and taste wines at six wineries: Spindrift Cellars, Airlie, Benton-Lane, Brigadoon, Emerson Vineyards and 3 Fools.

For those planning a romantic weekend, arrive a day earlier and celebrate Valentine’s Day at one of the many excellent restaurants in Corvallis and spend the night in one of the area’s charming B&Bs. The next day, it’s a journey into the Heart of Willamette Wineries.

 Take advantage of this excellent offer by stopping at any Heart of Willamette winery to purchase passes, or buy them online at www.visitcorvallis.com. Passes, $75, are limited.

THIRST Fest 2014

THIRST Fest 2014, a new wine, beer and spirits festival supporting the LGBTQ community through a partnership with the Cascade AIDS Project, will offer guests the opportunity to taste and compare a variety of offerings while supporting a good cause.

THIRST, Feb. 7–8, will feature beverage and cocktail sampling and a chance for members of the LGBTQ community to influence their own latest trends in mixology. Cocktail competitions such as the Battle of the Bartenders Cup will test the skills and creativity of Portland’s most talented; after a panel of local celebrities cast their votes, attendees will have a chance to taste the competitors’ unique creations.

With more than 40 craft distilleries, micro-breweries and select wineries participating, THIRST coordinators are pleased to offer a full-service OLCC-licensed liquor outlet, selling distilled spirits at the show; wine and beer vendors will be able to sell directly to attendees at their individual tables. 

THIRST will be hosted at the Tiffany Center, 1410 S.W. Morrison, in downtown Portland. For advance sales tickets ($20), visit www.port
land.strangertickets.com. Tickets at the door will be available for $25.

San Francisco Chronicle 2014 Wine Competition

Congratulations to all the Oregon and neighboring Washington wineries that were given a medal in the 2014 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition:

DG: Abacela 2009 Estate Reserve Tempranillo 

DG: Abacela 2012 UV Estate Grown Viognier, $22

G: Abacela 2012 UV Estate Grown Grenache Rose, $15

B: Abacela 2011 UV Fiesta Tempranillo, $21

B: Abacela 2012 UV Estate Grown Albarino, $18

G: Cliff Creek 2008 SO Sam's Valley Vineyard Claret, $25

S: Cliff Creek 2008 SO Sams Valley Vineyard Syrah, $25

B: Cliff Creek 2010 SO Sams Valley Vineyard Merlot, $22

B: Cliff Creek 2008 SO Sams Valley Vineyard Cabernet Franc, $28

B: Cristom 2011 WV Mt Jefferson Pinot Noir, $30

B: Cristom 2012 EAH Estate Pinot Gris, $17

B: Cristom 2011 EAH Eileen Vineyards Pinot Noir, $50

S: Cuckoos Nest 2012 OR Fizze, $13

S: Cuckoos Nest 2012 OR Aromatíque (Viognier/Gewurztraminer), $14.99

S: DANCIN 2011 SO Adagio Pinot Noir, $34

S: Deer Creek 2011 RV Pinot Gris, $20

S: Deer Creek 2011 RV Chardonnay, $20

S: Deer Creek 2012 RV Pinot Noir, $50

B: Deer Creek 2011 RV Private Reserve Pinot Noir, $35

G: Del Rio 2012 RV Viognier, $20

G: Del Rio 2012 RV Pinot Gris, $16

S: Del Rio 2011 RV Claret, $35

S: Del Rio 2011 RV Cabernet Sauvignon, $28

B: Del Rio 2011 RV Merlot, $28

B: Del Rio 2011 RV Pinot Noir, $28

B: Delfino 2011 UV Mezzo Mezzo, $26

S: Desert Wind 2011 WS Cabernet Sauvignon, $18

S: Desert Wind 2011 WS Ruah, $20

S: Desert Wind 2011 WS Merlot, $18

S: Duck Pond 2012 WV Pinot Gris, $12

B: Duck Pond 2012 CV Chardonnay, $12

S: EdenVale 2006 RV Tempranillo, $45

S: EdenVale 2006 RV Dolcetto, $25

B: EdenVale 2012 RV Rosé, $18

S: Elkhorn Ridge 2011 WV 777 Pinot Noir, $29

B: Elkhorn Ridge 2011 WV Le Terre Foss Pinot Noir, $29

DG: Firesteed 2010 OR Riesling, $13

G: Firesteed 2012 OR Pinot Gris, $13

S: Firesteed 2011 OR Citation Chardonnay, $30

S: Firesteed 2012 OR Pinot Noir, $17

B: Firesteed 2009 WV Pinot Noir, $30

B: Firesteed 2003 OR Citation Pinot Noir, $60

S: Girardet 2011 UV Chardonnay, $15

B: Girardet 2012 UV Estate Grown Riesling, $16

S: Irvine 2011 Ashland Estate Chardonnay, $32

B: Irvine 2010 RV Pinot Noir, $35

S: Kandarian 2012 OR Sauvignon Blanc, $20

G: Kriselle 2012 RV Sauvignon Blanc, $21

G: Kriselle 2011 RV Sangiovese, $28

S: Kriselle 2011 RV Di'tani, $25

S: Kriselle 2010 RV Cabernet Franc, $27

B: Kriselle 2011 RV Cabernet Sauvignon, $32

B: Kriselle 2010 RV Tempranillo, $34

G: LaBrasseur 2011 RV Ethan Cole, $28

B: LaBrasseur 2011 RV Syrah, $24

S: Ledger David 2010 RV Verner Traul Tempranillo, $28

B: Ledger David 2011 RV Varner-Traul Chardonnay, $22

B: Ledger David 2012 RV Varner-Traul Sangiovese Rose, $18

B: Ledger David 2011 RV Verner-Traul Cabernet Franc, $28

B: Ledger David 2011 RV Varner-Traul Sangiovese, $24

Best of Class: Locati 2010 Milton-Freewater Innovation, $20

S: Lumos 2011 WV 5 Blocks Pinot Noir, $25

S: Lumos 2009 WV Temperance Hill Pinot Noir, $34

B: Lumos 2012 WV Temperance Hill Gewürztraminer, $19

S: Maragas 2013 OR Tootsie, $20

S: Maragas 2010 OR Cabernet Franc, $30

B: Maragas 2012 OR Malbec, $25

Best of Class: Marchesi 2012 CV Emma Sangiovese, $28

B: Marchesi 2011 CV Esta Italian Blend, $29

B: Marchesi 2011 CG Achille Barbera, $30

G: Maryhill 2011 CV Proprietor's Reserve Malbec, $16.95

G: Maryhill 2011 CV Proprietor's Reserve Syrah, $24.95

G: Maryhill 2012 CV Proprietor's Reserve Chardonnay, $31

G: Maryhill 2012 CV Pinot Gris, $11.95

G: Maryhill 2011 Rattlesnake Hills Hattrup Farms Marvell, $32

S: Maryhill 2012 CV Riesling, $9.95

S: Maryhill 2011 HH Alder Ridge Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, $40

S: Maryhill 2011 CV Sangiovese, $16.95

S: Maryhill 2011 CV Proprietor's Reserve Merlot, $24.95

S: Maryhill 2011 CV Syrah, $16.95

S: Maryhill 2011 CV Cabernet Sauvignon, $16.95

S: Maryhill 2011 CV Barbera, $18

S: Maryhill 2011 CV Merlot, $16.95

S: Maryhill 2012 CV Proprietor's Reserve Aurelia, $24

S: Maryhill 2012 CV Chardonnay, $14

S: Maryhill 2011 Rattlesnake Hills Sugarloaf Vineyard Mourvedre, $30

S: Maryhill 2011 WW Les Collines Vineyard Merlot, $36

S: Maryhill 2011 CV Proprietor's Reserve Grenache, $19.95

S: Maryhill 2011 CV Proprietor's Reserve Zinfandel, $29.95

B: Maryhill 2011 CV Zinfandel, $16.95

B: Maryhill 2012 CV Sauvignon Blanc, $9.95

B: Maryhill 2011 CV Proprietor's Reserve Serendipity, $29.95

B: Maryhill 2011 CV Classic Malbec, $24.95

B: Maryhill 2011 CV Proprietor's Reserve Cabernet Franc, $24.95

B: Maryhill 2011 CV Cabernet Franc, $16.95

B: Maryhill 2011 WS Clifton Hills Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, $40

B: Maryhill 2011 WW Les Collines Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, $40

B: Maryhill 2012 CV Viognier, $11.95

B: Maryhill 2011 CV Proprietor's Reserve Sangiovese, $19.95

B: Maryhill 2012 CV Winemakers's White, $9.95

B: Maryhill 2011 CV Winemaker's Red, $11.95

B: Maryhill 2011 CV Proprietor's Reserve Tavola Rosso, $32

B: Melrose 2011 UV Pinot Noir, $18

B: Melrose NV UV Solstice Solera, $22

B: Melrose 2012 UV Chardonnay, $22

B: Melrose 2012 UV Pinot Gris, $16

S: Monte Ferro 2011 UV Pinot Noir, $24.95

B: Monte Ferro 2012 CM Dion Mountains Chardonnay, $17.50

DG: Pacific Rim/Rainstorm NV Mount Vernon Framboise, $14

G: Pacific Rim/Rainstorm 2012 CV Riesling, $11

G: Pacific Rim/Rainstorm 2012 CV Gewürztraminer, $11

S: Pacific Rim/Rainstorm 2012 OR Pinot Noir, $16

S: Pacific Rim/Rainstorm 2012 CV Wallula Vinde Glaciere Riesling, $14

S: Pacific Rim/Rainstorm 2012 CV Sweet Riesling, $11

B: Pacific Rim/Rainstorm 2012 CV Dry Riesling, $11

DG: Pebblestone 2012 RV Ellis Vineyards Viognier, $19

S: Pebblestone 2009 RV Ellis Vineyards Block 3 Cabernet Franc, $24

S: Pebblestone 2009 RV Ellis Vineyards Melange, $25

S: Pebblestone 2012 RV Ellis Vineyards Pinot Gris, $16

B: Provincial 2012 WV Pinot Gris, $16

S: Red Lily 2010 RV Red Lily Tempranillo, $35

S: Red Lily 2007 AV Estate Reserve Red Lily Tempranillo Reserve, $65

B: Red Lily 2012 RV Lily Girl Rosé, $16

G: Schmidt Family 2010 SO Tempranillo, $34

G: Schmidt Family 2010 AV Cabernet Franc, $34

G: Schmidt Family 2011 SO Pinot Noir, $34

G: Schmidt Family 2012 AV Chardonnay, $24

S: Schmidt Family 2010 AV Merlot, $34

S: Schmidt Family 2010 AV Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, $38

S: Schmidt Family 2010 SO Malbec, $34

S: Schmidt Family 2010 AV Syrah, $34

S: Schmidt Family 2012 AV Albarino, $24

S: Schmidt Family 2012 SO Riesling, $22

S: Schmidt Family 2012 SO Pinot Gris, $22

B: Schmidt Family 2010 AV Soulea, $36

S: Seven of Hearts 2012 WV Pinot Noir, $20

B: Seven of Hearts 2012 WV Gran Moraine Chardonnay, $24

B: Seven of Hearts 2012 CV Rattlesnake Pinot Gris, $18

G: Sokol Blosser NV America Evolution White, $16

B: Sokol Blosser NV America Evolution Red, $16

B: Sokol Blosser 2011 DH Pinot Noir, $46

S: South Stage 2009 RV Grenache, $28

B: South Stage 2011 RV Carmenere, $27

B: South Stage 2010 RV Pinot Noir, $28

G: Spangler 2011 SO Claret, $27

S: Spangler 2012 SO Viognier, $21

B: Spangler 2010 OR Cabernet Sauvignon, $39

G: Tertulia 2010 WW Pepper Bridge Vineyards Excelsior, $36

S: Tertulia 2010 HH Phinny Hill Vineyard Carmenere, $36

B: Tertulia 2010 CV Sobra, $24

B: Tertulia 2010 Red Mountain Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, $36

G: Cellars at SOWI 2010 UV Pinot Noir, $17

S: Cellars at SOWI 2011 RV Viognier, $18

S: Four Graces 2012 DH Dundee Hills Reserve Pinot Noir, $45

S: Four Graces 2011 DH Black Family Estate Pinot Noir, $75

B: Four Graces 2012 WV Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, $32

S: Troon 2011 AV Estate Zinfandel, $28

S: Troon 2010 AV Old Vine Meritage, $32

B: Troon 2012 AV Dry Rose, $18

B: Troon 2011 AV/RV Varner Traual & Layne Vnyd Cabernet Franc Reserve, $35

S: Tyee 2012 WV Estate Pinot Gris, $17

S: Tyee 2012 WV Gewürztraminer, $19

B: Tyee 2011 WV Barrel Select Estate Pinot Noir, $34

B: Tyee 2012 WV Chardonnay, $17

S: Wild Rose 2010 OR Wild Rose Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, $30

S: Wild Rose 2012 OR Pinot Gris, $20

S: Willamette Valley Vineyards 2011 WV Dijon Clone Chardonnay, $20

S: Willamette Valley Vineyards 2011 EAH Elton Pinot Noir, $48

S: Willamette Valley Vineyards 2012 WV Riesling, $14

S: Willamette Valley Vineyards 2012 WV Pinot Gris, $16

B: Willamette Valley Vineyards 2011 WV Estate Pinot Noir, $30

S: Zerba 2010 WW Tempranillo, $38

B: Zerba 2011 WW Dolcetto, $30

B: Zerba 2011 WW Cabernet Franc, $30

B: Zerba 2011 WW Malbec, $38

AWARDS KEY

DG: Double-Gold; G: Gold; S: Silver;  B: Bronze; AV: Applegate Valley; CG: Columbia Gorge; CV: Columbia Valley; DH: Dundee Hills; EA: Eola-Amity Hills; HH: Horse Heaven Hills; MC: McMinnville; OR: Oregon; RR: Ribbon Ridge; RV: Rogue Valley; RH: Rattlesnake Hills;
SO: Southern Oregon; UV: Umpqua Valley; WW: Walla Walla Valley; WV: Willamette Valley;  WS: Wahluke Slope; YC: Yamhill-Carlton