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2022 Megan Anne Cellars Pinot Noir: $45

(Carefully curated notes below are taken from the Producer’s website)

Varietal Composition 100% Pinot Noir

Location Willamette Valley / Oregon / USA

Drink Now or Cellar? Drink now or cellar for 3-5 more years

A Few More Details: 

Megan Anne Cellars is known for producing wines that reflect the unique terroir of the Willamette Valley. The winery focuses on small-batch production to ensure high quality. 

Tasting Notes

Expect vibrant aromas of red cherries, raspberries, and subtle floral notes, with hints of earthiness and spice. On the palate, it offers a smooth texture with flavors of ripe red fruits like cherry and strawberry, complemented by undertones of vanilla and a touch of oak. The finish is long and balanced, with a nice acidity that adds freshness and a slight tannic grip that provides structure.

Food Pairing

This wine pairs delectably well with dishes like roasted chicken, grilled salmon, and mushroom risotto.

From them to you:

As enthusiastic admirers of the Willamette Valley, Mark & Megan McNeilly consider it a second home; it’s where they married and spend time with friends and family during coveted downtime. Megan Anne Cellars was conceived in 2014 as a collaboration between the couple and former Evening Land winemaker Isabelle Meunier.

This Willamette Valley Pinot Noir project presents a softer, more feminine side of the Mark Ryan Winery family — the inaugural vintage was released in fall of 2016.

Megan Anne Cellars is dedicated to crafting wines that showcase the distinct characteristics of the Willamette Valley. The winery emphasizes sustainable practices and meticulous attention to detail in the winemaking process

Source:  https://www.markryanwinery.com/ 

St. Innocent Freedom Hill Vineyard Dijon Clone Chardonnay: $45.00

(Carefully curated notes below are taken from the Producer’s website)

Varietal Composition 100% Chardonnay

Location Willamette Valley / Oregon / USA

Drink Now or Cellar? Drink now or cellar from 2027-2029

A Few More Details: 

Freedom Hill is located in the foothills of the coast range 10 miles southwest of Salem, Oregon. During the day, warm air rises from the valley floor ripening the skins. At night, cool ocean breezes act to retain acidity. The Chardonnay blocks have a southwest exposure at an elevation of 520’ to 580′. The vines were planted in 2006 and 2007 with Dijon clones 76 and 548 on well-drained, very old sedimentary clay loam.

Tasting Notes

Expect a bouquet of citrus peel, apple, and dried stone fruits, with a hint of minerality. On the palate, you might find a mix of citrus, pear, apple, and spice, with a refreshing acidity and a medium-bodied frame. The wine typically has a broad texture with good density, featuring flavors of red apple, white peach, and lemon curd. The finish is usually long and lingering, with well-integrated oak that adds complexity without overpowering the fruit.

Food Pairing

Match this scrumptious wine with rich white meat, vegetarian, and pasta dishes with complex sauces and rich flavors.

From them to you:

Mark Vlossak had an unusual upbringing. His father was a wine educator and importer who instilled his passion for wine in Mark at the tender age of seven years old. Mark’s mother trained under a master chef and prepared meals to accompany the wines they were tasting. Together, his parents showed him the beauty of the partnership between food and wine and how one served to elevate the other. Mark began St. Innocent Winery in the Willamette Valley in 1988 and quickly established himself as one of the premier winemakers in the area, finding sites that had potential to produce wines with a true sense of place.

“Farming techniques that respect the earth enhance the ability of the land to reveal its unique flavors and textures, which is the first step in producing wines that reflect their terroir. We work closely with our growers to fine-tune viticultural techniques – pruning, leaf pulling, crop thinning, hedging, and picking – to produce grapes that reflect the flavor and texture of each unique site. We obtain fruit from vineyards certified in various sustainable farming methods: LIVE, Organic, and Biodynamic.” 

Source: https://stinnocentwine.com/