Behind the Cork™ - Vitis Ridge Pinot Gris

2023 Vitis Ridge Pinot Gris ($16)

The Vitis Ridge winery was originally founded and operates as an equal four-way partnership between two couples: Chris and Sharon Deckelmann, and Bruce and Sally Eich..  What started as a hobby in the garage over 20 years ago has evolved into one of the North Willamette Valley's most popular wineries.

Established in 2005, Vitis Ridge is producing about 3,000 cases annually. They focus on unique wines and specialty blends and are currently offering 30 varietals.

Their Estate vineyards are comprised of nearly 150 acres and include Pinot Noir, Maréchal Foch, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Chardonnay, and Muscat.  They also bring in grapes from vineyards throughout the Northwest to provide a broader range of offerings and interesting terrior differences.

This Vitis Ridge Pinot Gris is sourced from their estate vineyards located in Silverton, Oregon. It was processed entirely in stainless steel tanks. It is a beautiful medium salmon color that comes from an extended period of skin contact (4 to 24 hours) with the grape skins that are actually a dusty purple in color (hence the name Pinot Gris which means means ‘gray pinecone’).

This wine has subtle aromas of green apple and pear. On the palate it has flavors of mango, peach and pear without the sharp “bright” acidity normally associated with Pinot Gris. This is apparently due to their approach of making this a “semi-dry” wine, meaning that it has a bit higher residual sugar.

Vitis Ridge keeps their prices affordable so you can open the bottle you want to drink anytime...not just for the special event. That makes this Vitis Pinot Gris a perfect fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week! Next time you are in the Willamette Valley in Oregon, stop in at Vitis Ridge and meet their Tasting Room Manager, Brian Everest, to check out all their great wines. Cheers!

Behind the Cork™ - Left Coast Cali's Cuvée Pinot Noir

2017 Left Coast Estate Cali’s Cuvée Pinot Noir ($24)

This Cali’s Cuvée from Left Coast Estate is their flagship Pinot Noir.

Named for the owner’s daughter, this wine is 100% Pinot Noir. It’s fermented in 100% Stainless Steel and then aged for eight months in 100% French oak, 15% of which is New French Oak.

Winemaker Joe Wright states “Expressive black cherry, black tea, and forest floor aromas expose a polished and poised dark raspberry, bitter chocolate and spice flavors that finish with our region’s minerality and mild tannin.”

This Cali’s Cuvée Pinot Noir exhibits raspberry, cranberry and sour cherry on the nose. On the palate it’s got a bright front end of cranberry and cherry with dusty tannins and a light, delicate finish.

Cali’s Cuvée Pinot Noir from Left Coast Estate is affordable and attainable and makes a perfect fit for Behind the Cork™. Look for this one and enjoy! Cheers!

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Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this wine at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Sample Provided by Left Coast Estate winery

Behind the Cork™ - Left Coast Latitude 45° Pinot Noir

2016 Left Coast Latitude 45° Estate Pinot Noir ($38)

This Left Coast Pinot Noir is their oldest vineyards on their Estate and are planted directly along the 45th parallel which is halfway between the North Pole and the Equator and just so happens to also pass through France and Italy.

This 100% Dijon Clone Pinot Noir is fermented in 100% French oak and aged for 15 months in 75% new French oak, 25% neutral French oak

The winemaker notes state “This 100% Dijon clone, single vineyard is focused and expressive, teeming with black cherry, plum and white pepper aromas. Dark plum, black tea, espresso and spice flavors mingle with velvety, well-integrated tannins.”

This is a big Pinot Nior that will stand up to bold flavors, such as braised meats and root vegetables. Cheers!

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Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this wine at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Sample Provided by Left Coast Estate winery

Behind the Cork™ - Left Coast Pinot Noir

2018 Left Coast White Pinot Noir ($24)

I’ve been looking forward to trying a white Pinot Noir for some time. I’m a big fan of Pinot Noir but have never gotten an opportunity to try the white version.

This Left Coast White Pinot Noir is produced from 93% Pinot Noir and 7% Pinot Blanc. It is fermented and aged on lees in stainless steel to capture the true fruit flavors of the Pinot Noir grape.

Fruit flavor indeed! This white Pinot Noir has big bright fruit flavors with green apple being most prominent along with pear and honeydew melon and some minerality. The finish is long with good acidity.

I find it amazing that a grape that typically produces red wines with cherry, cranberry and raspberry fruit flavors can be so entirely different when done in a white-wine style. It really demonstrates that including those grape skins along with the seeds and stems in the wine making process can make a completely different wine.

As they state, “What began in 2011 as a small experimental wine quickly blossomed into one of Left Coast’s most unique and popular wines.” I’m really glad I finally got to try this white Pinot Noir and experience the ‘other side’ of Pinot. You’ll enjoy this one too. Look for it and give it try! Cheers!

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Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this wine at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Sample Provided by Will Rogers of Donna White Communications

Behind the Cork™ - Wine of the Week

2017 Left Coast Truffle Hill Chardonnay ($24)

This Chardonnay is from Oregon’s Left Coast “Truffle Hill” vineyard that contains four acres of European Black Truffle-inoculated hazelnut trees, shrub roses and holly oaks.

This 100% Chardonnay is fermented in 100% French oak before being aged for 10 months.

Left Coast winemaker Joe Wright states “This easy drinking Chardonnay delivers golden flower aromas of honeysuckle and elderberry accented with brown sugar. A burst of acidity on the palate is complimented with ripe pear fruit, rounded out by vanilla, coconut, caramel and butterscotch on the finish.” Well said Joe!

I found this Willamette Valley Chardonnay to be terrific. It had great flavors of baked apple and spices with just a hint of oak. A wonderful pairing with any lighter fare.

This is a really good one that deserves your attention. Look for it! Cheers!

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Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this wine at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Sample Provided by Will Rogers of Donna White Communications