Wine Along The 101
  • Home
  • Articles
    • 2020 Articles >
      • Margerum Wine Company, the Nexus of Sublime Santa Barbara County Wines
      • Catena Zapata, Malbec on High
      • Long Meadow Ranch, the Circle of Life in a Glass of Wine
      • Fontanafredda Barolo Forges a New Future
      • Bordeaux Wine 2017, Surprises in a Challenging Vintage
    • 2019 Articles >
      • The Rising Wine Country of Southern Oregon's Rogue Valley
      • Discover Ashland and the Rogue Valley, Southern Oregon's Serenade to the Good Life
      • Napa Valley Grille, New Fall Menu Paired with European Wines
      • Embrace Your Wine Geek with PRIE Winery & Vineyards
      • Castello di Albola, Chianti Classico on High
      • Nicolas-Jay Wines, the Journey of a Lifetime
      • The Expanding Complexity of New Zealand Wine
      • Prosecco DOC, Splendor in the Glass
      • On the Oregon Wine Trail
      • Albariño and Rioja Star in Spain’s Great Match
      • Exciting and Eclectic, the Wines of Alentejo
      • Blaufränkisch Propels the Red Wines of Austria Into the Spotlight
      • Fascinating Greek Wines of the Cava Spiliadis Collection
      • Revolution In Rioja Wine
    • 2018 Articles >
      • Temecula Valley Celebrates 50 Years of Winemaking
      • The Stellar Wines of Sardinia
      • Italian Wines Prescribed by Doctor Wine
      • The Alluring Wines of Tunisia
      • Gambero Rosso’s Top Italian Wines for 2018
      • Velenosi Wines, From Le Marche to the World
      • Sauvignon Blanc, a Rising Star in Napa Valley
      • Frank Family Vineyards Celebrates 25 Years
      • Markus Wine Co., Sleek New Red Wines Up the Ante for Lodi Reds
      • Lodi Wine, Over 100 Varieties Strong
      • Ramona Valley Wine Country, an Up and Coming Wine Region
      • Hertelendy Vineyards, the Pursuit of Excellence
      • Napa Valley Wine, Nirvana in a Bottle
      • Wine Stroll: Explore Downtown Paso Robles Wineries
      • The Beautiful Shades of Lodi Rosé Wines
      • Doubling Down on Gold Medal Wines: The San Francisco International Wine Competition
      • The Exotic Wines of Lebanon
      • Australian Wines, Rediscover the New Frontier
      • New Zealand Wines, Expanding beyond Sauvignon Blanc
      • Visit France in 2018, a Feast of Food, Wine, Culture and History
      • Bordeaux Wine 2015, A Very Good Year
      • Portugal's Treasure Chest of Wines
      • Livermore Valley, California’s Original Wine Country Reborn
      • Concannon and Wente Vineyards, California’s Pioneers of Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay
      • Livermore Valley Wine Country, the Future Looks Bright
    • 2017 Articles >
      • Viña Ardanza Rioja Turns 75, an Enchanting Wine Gets Even Better
      • The VIP Sparkle of Prosecco Superiore
      • Lodi Wine Country, Seriously Good Wine From A to Z
      • Lodi Wine Country, Old Vines and Great Wines
      • Lodi Wine Country, Winegrowers and Winemakers Focused on the Future
      • Lugana White Wine, Better With Age
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip to LA
      • Sweetzer Cellars, a Life Changing Journey of Wine
      • Lugana and Valpolicella, the Yin and Yang of the Veneto
      • Three R’s of Summer Wine, Rosé, Riesling, and Ramato
      • Familia Martínez Bujanda, Wines Without Borders
      • Codorníu Cava, the Ars and Anna Collection
      • New and Exciting Wines from the 2017 Santa Barbara Vintners Spring Weekend Celebration
      • Sensual Delights on Display at Savor Italy Los Angeles
      • Pizza and Franco Pepe, Italy’s Best Comes to LA
      • Montes Wines, Wisdom in Wine From Father to Son
      • Passionate Pinot Noir Lovers Unite at the 2017 World of Pinot
      • Vignalta, Wines of the Highest Order
      • Santa Lucia Highlands Sensational Wines
      • Gambero Rosso’s Top Italian Wines for 2017
      • Law Estate Wines: Quality by Design
      • Taittinger and Calvisius: Champagne and Caviar Dreams
      • Riding High on American Rhone Wines, The Rhone Rangers LA Tasting
      • Discover Monterey Wine Country, wine and so much more
      • Wines of Portugal, the Perfect Dinner Companion
      • Gruet's Enchanting Sparkling Wines
    • 2016 Articles >
      • The Art of Italian Living, SoCal Style
      • Wines of Alsace: Perfect for the Holidays
      • Oso Libre Winery; Vines, Wines, and Angus Beef
      • Best Wines for Thanksgiving
      • Simply Italian Great Wines US Tour Sweeps Through Los Angeles
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip: Chardonnay
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip: Pinot Noir
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip: Rhône Varietals
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip: Bordeaux Varietals
      • Achaval-Ferrer, Exceptional Wines from Argentina
      • Celebration of Harvest Grand Tasting 2016 Highlights
      • The Celebrity Sparkle of Ferrari Trento Wines
      • Santa Barbara Wine Country’s Celebration of Harvest 2016
      • The Garagiste Festival, Off the Beaten Path Wines
      • Explore SLO Wine Country, Central California’s Hidden Gem
      • Byron Winery, The Grand Pinot Noir Experiment
      • Crocker & Starr Wines, Organically Elegant
      • Escape to Santa Maria Wine Country
      • The Elegant White Wines of Domäne Wachau
      • Champagne Palmer: The New Champagne on the Block
      • Holman Ranch & Vineyards: Making Memories & Wine at Romantic California Hideaway
      • Luminous Wines of France's Loire Valley
    • Examiner.com Articles >
      • Alma Rosa Winery & Vineyards: Wines Without Compromise
      • All Stars of Pinot Noir Rock the 2016 World of Pinot
      • Ampelos Wines' Biodynamic Brilliance
      • Artisan Uprising: Blood Into Wine
      • Bodegas Beronia Rioja: The Magic of Oak
      • Crawford Family Wines: Unlocking Varietal Flavor
      • Dolin Malibu Estate Vineyards' Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs Shine Bright
      • Hahn Family Wines: Santa Lucia Highlands' Sweet Spot
      • Kimmel Vineyards: Good Wine Flows from Challenging Times
      • Larner Vineyard: Sweet Spot for Syrah and Grenache
      • LOCA for Lodi Wine
      • Lompoc Wine Ghetto
      • Sanford Winery & Vineyards, Delicious Wines That Tell a Tale
      • The Diverse and Divine Wines of Santa Barbara County
      • Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail
      • The Stellar Wines of California's Sta. Rita Hills
      • Skinner Vineyards, Destiny and Determination
      • Wines of Portugal, The Art of the Blend
  • Wine Reviews
    • Grassl Glasses Add Depth to Wine Enjoyment
    • Domaine Bousquet Sparkling Rosé Brut Makes Everyday a Holiday
    • Festive Ferrari Trento Sparkling Wines For All Occasions
    • Bodegas CARO, the Best of Both Worlds
    • Kosher Wines For the Jewish High Holidays Are Highly Recommended Anytime of Year
    • Oak Farm Vineyards, a Rainbow of Delicious Lodi Wines
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. Sauvignon Blanc 2019
    • Ron Rubin Wines, The Dream Series
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. County Cuvée Pinot Noir 2018
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. Sauvignon Blanc 2018
    • Crus Bourgeois Bordeaux, Expressive Wines at Everyday Prices
    • Légende Collection of Bordeaux Wines
    • Five Contemporary California Wines To Try
    • Alternative Sparkling Wines For a Celebration
    • A Toast to Prosecco Superiore
    • Celebrate with this Pair of Spanish Red Wines
    • A Quartet of Summer Red Wines
    • Spanish Albariño, a Wine For All Seasons
    • Ciù Ciù Wines, Quality That Shines Through
    • A Trio of Red Wines for Holiday Merrymaking
    • Terre de la Custodia Montefalco Rosso 2012
    • The Sultry Arnaldo Caprai Collepiano Montefalco Sagrantino
    • Pop the Cork on Charles Heidsieck Champagne and Bisol Prosecco
    • Garnacha Wines from DOP Cariñena, Beautiful Bang for the Buck
    • A Pair of Greek Wines for a Spring Feast
    • A Dynamic Duo of Sassy Spanish White Wines
    • Anderra Carménere
    • Artesa Chardonnay/Pinot Noir
    • Avignonesi Grandi Annate
    • Château Saint-Maur Rosé
    • La Miranda de Secastilla, Old Vine Garnacha Gems
    • Intriguing Israeli Wines
    • Leviathan
    • Domaines Paul Mas Wines Trio
    • Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc, intensely refreshing and delicious
    • Perticaia Trebbiano Spoletino
    • Stay Cool With These Two Charming White Wines
  • Events
    • Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival 2019
    • World of Pinot Noir 2019, A Magical Mystery Tour
    • Journey to Planet Pinot at the 2018 World of Pinot Noir
    • Great Wines of Italy Comes to LA
    • Wine Along the Beach at Garagiste Wine Festival 2017
    • Santa Barbara Vintners Spring Weekend Celebration 2017
    • Orbit the World of Pinot Noir at the 2017 World of Pinot
    • Rhone Rangers Los Angeles 2016
    • Rhone Rangers 2015
  • Wine Travel
    • Wineries >
      • Santa Ynez Valley
      • Los Olivos Promenade
      • Buellton
      • Sta. Rita Hills
      • Paso Robles
      • Edna Valley
    • Dining >
      • Avila Beach
      • Cayucos
      • Los Olivos
      • Paso Robles
      • Pismo Beach
      • Santa Barbara
      • Santa Ynez
      • Solvang
  • Videos
    • Celebration of Harvest
    • Feliz Noche Wines
    • Terravant Custom Crush
    • Que Syrah, Shiraz!
    • Paso Robles Wine Festival
    • L'Aventure Syrah Harvest
    • Clos Pepe's Prince of Pinot
  • Photos
  • About Me
Picture
The buzz surrounding Oregon wines continues to build, as today’s wines astonish on their own merits, consistently rating highly among wine experts.  Over fifty years ago, the pioneers of Oregon winemaking planted vines and produced a Pinot Noir that passed as a doppelganger for its Burgundian relative, amazing the wine world with a 10th place in the 1979 Wine Olympics held in Paris.  That wine, David Lett’s Eyrie Vineyards 1975 South Block Reserve Pinot Noir, opened the door to a parallel existence with Burgundian winemaking for years, but now Oregon winemakers are charting their own course, defining their terroir, planting the best clones, and discovering the best vineyard and winemaking practices that stamps their wines as unique.
Picture
Picture
Picture
The Willamette Valley is the largest and best-known of the 18 AVAs throughout the state, with over half of all wine made from estate-grown fruit.  Pinot Noir is the darling here, making up 64% of the varietals grown, followed by Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and a host of others.  Fiercely committed to preserving the environment, almost half of Oregon’s vineyards are certified sustainable.  Value for quality, the wines embody all that makes up site expression, meaning that an Oregon Pinot Noir is not easily classified, as each vineyard and winemaker reflects its diverse origins, different in clones, soils, micro-climates and all the minutae that goes into making them so individual.  If there is a style that is common, one might say that Oregon Pinot Noir is fruit forward, with a supple texture, crisp acidity and ripe tannins, well balanced in its elegant complexity.  After that, each is distinct and different.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Alain Plamondon of Domaine Roy et Fils
Picture
Picture
Picture
Flaunting their charms, Oregon wine producers came to Los Angeles last year, and poured their wines at the “Oregon Wine Trail” wine event, sponsored by the Oregon Wine Board.  Classified under six different categories, from Classic Pinots to Unexpected Oregon, fifty wineries strutted their stuff.  I wasn’t even able to taste a fraction of the wines, but of the ones I sampled, these were my favorites.
Picture
Picture
Alexana Winery - “Diverse Soils, Complex Wines” is their motto, their 80 acres include 18 soil types over rugged and rolling hills, Diverse Whites include the 2016 Riesling, 2015 Terroir Series Chardonnay, and 2015 Willamette Valley Pinot Gris, very nice, textured wines.
Picture
Tyson Crowley of Crowley Wines
Picture
Crowley Wines - A pioneer in Classic Pinots, perfection in the vineyard yields some amazing wines, as evidenced by their 2017 Rosé, 2016 Willamette Valley Chardonnay, and 2015 La Colina Vineyard Pinot Noir Dundee Hills.
Picture
Stephen Reustle of Reustle-Prayer Rock Vineyards
Reustle-Prayer Rock Vineyards - Stephen and Gloria Reustle are pioneers in Southern Oregon's Umpqua Valley, producing the first Grüner Veltliner in the US.  All estate-grown, these wines delighted with their Unexpected Oregon varietals, the 2015 Grüner Veltliner, 2016 Riesling and 2014 Syrah from Umpqua Valley were rich and ripe, aromatic and delicious!  
Picture
Alison Sokol Blosser of Sokol Blosser Winery
Picture
Sokol Blosser Winery - Pioneers in Classic Pinots from the Willamette Valley, this family winery pursues quality in a very hands-on style.  All four of the wines poured were special, their flagship 2015 Dundee Hills Estate Pinot Noir, the 2014 Orchard Block Pinot Noir, 2017 Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir, and 2014 Big Tree Block Pinot Noir.
Picture
Stoller Family Estate - Another pioneer of Classic Pinots, Bill Stoller transformed a family turkey farm into an award-winning vineyard.  The 2016 Dundee Hills Pinot Noir, 2015 Reserve Pinot noir, and 2017 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir Rosé shone brightly.
Picture
Michael Caputo of Willakenzie Estate
Picture
Willakenzie Estate - “Place Matters” is the motto of this producer of Classic Pinots and Unexpected Oregon wines.  All four poured, under screw caps, were delightful.  Seek out the 2017 Willamette Valley Rosé, 2015 Gisèle Pinot Noir, 2013 Pierre Leon Pinot Noir Yamhill-Carlton, and 2017 Willamette Valley Pinot Gris.
Picture
Bill Sweat and Donna Morris of Winderlea Vineyard & Winery
Picture
Winderlea Vineyard & Winery - A boutique winery that produces Classic Pinots and Diverse Whites, the 2014 Dundee Hills Vineyard Pinot Noir, 2015 Winderlea Imprint Pinot Noir, 2015 Chardonnay, and 2015 Winderlea Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir are their crown jewels.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
World-class Pinot Noir dominates the winescape, and the mosaic of styles is immense, from elegant red or black fruited beauties with silky tannins to more rustic, spicy wines, with bigger tannins and body.  The world of Oregon wines is vast, with other varietal wines coming on strong, especially Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, and Syrah.  These wines have captured the wine-drinking world's palate, with their reputation and quality growing by leaps and bounds.  There's a lot to discover and enjoy here, seek out these and so many more for your wine drinking pleasure.