Wine FAQ's
Where can I find your wine?
Our Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, and Müller-Thurgau with Cassie on the label and our Celebrate sparkling wines can be found in many stores throughout the state. Contact our distributor for details. Our reserve wines are only available in the tasting room or online.
What does estate mean?
The words ‘estate bottled’ on a wine label indicate that 100% of the grapes used to make the wine were grown in vineyards owned by the winery, and were made and bottled at the winery. In our case, most of the wine we produce was grown, made, and bottled on site. We feel this improves the quality of our wines because we have total control of the entire winemaking process.
What does ‘Semi-Sparkling’ mean? Does it have fewer bubbles?
Semi-Sparkling is a legally required designation for wines produced in a high-pressure tank. This doesn’t have much to do with the level or quality of the bubbles in the wine. In fact, our Semi-Sparkling wines have abundant, lasting, yet small bubbles.
What is Müller-Thurgau?
Müller-Thurgau is a German varietal; a hybrid of Riesling and Madeleine Royale, named after Dr. Hermann Müller who was from the province of Thurgau in Switzerland. Müller-Thurgau is widely grown in Germany, as it grows well in cooler climates. The wine is light and fruity with low acid and a hint of Muscat. Müller-Thurgau is also grown in Washington, Austria, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Italy.
What is Dijon Chardonnay? Does it have anything to do with mustard?
Dijon Chardonnay refers to a group of clones developed at the Universithy of Burgundy in Dijon. These clones are particularly well suited to our cooler climate, and have been grown in our vineyard since 1994. The Dijon Chardonnays ripen two to three weeks earlier than the original clones grown in the early years of our industry meaning the quality is much more consistent from vintage to vintage.
You have a several Pinot Noirs. What makes them different?
All of our Pinot Noirs are made from grapes grown in our vineyard. However, there are infinite variables that can affect the flavor profile of our grapes. Within our vineyard, we have six blocks of Pinot Noir. Each block was planted at different times using different clones. Some plants are on their own roots, while others are grafted. Vine density, soil composition, slope, and proximity to the tree line are other factors that affect the flavors. These differences also mean that each block ripens differently. When we make our harvest decisions, each block is evaluated, harvested, fermented, and aged separately to preserve their unique characteristics. Our winemaking decisions are done on a block by block basis also. The wines from the main part of the vineyard are more balanced with less new oak influence, while the Heritage, Rebecca’s, and Cardiac Hill wines require a bit more new oak and additional time in the barrel.
Do you submit your wines for review? Have you received any awards?
Not often. We’re a very small winery, and our wines are only available in the state of Oregon, so it doesn’t make much sense for us to pursue scores from national publications. However, we regularly submit our wines to local publications and the Oregon State Fair, and often receive accolades for our wines.
How long can you store your wines?
Our white wines should be consumed 1-6 years from the vintage date. Our red wines will last a bit longer, 3-8 years for most. These are very conservative, general estimates. We have been very pleased with the longevity in many of our wines. See tasting notes for more information or contact us if you’re wondering if you should open a bottle you’ve been saving.
How do I open wines that are sealed with wax?
Some of our reserve wines have a wax capsule instead of a more traditional foil. To open, simply plunge the corkscrew right through the wax and extract the cork. It is not necessary to chip away or peel the wax off prior to opening.
How should I open a sparkling wine?
First, make sure the bottle is chilled. Sparkling wines are best when served ice cold, and chilling helps keep the carbon dioxide trapped in the wine. Also, when handling sparkling wine, make sure the bottle isn’t pointed at your face. There’s a lot of pressure in these bottles, and you never know when the cork might unexpectedly pop. Remove the foil and wire, then cover the cork with a towel. Twist the cork while holding the bottle steady. If this step is difficult, you may need to find someone with strong hands or use a pipe wrench. There are also sparkling wine openers available in some wine shops and in our tasting room. Once you get the cork to turn, keep turning while pulling the cork gently. Voila!