2012 Adelsheim Winderlea Vineyard Pinot Noir

Adelsheim is one of Oregon’s most admired and established producers. It was founded in 1971 when David and Ginny Adelsheim bought property in the Willamette Valley. The young, idealistic couple had just returned from a summer in Europe, and were inspired by the wine they enjoyed there to try making their own. They planted Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Riesling on 15 acres in 1972. Their first commercial vintage was the 1978 bottling. Today Adelsheim owns 223 vineyards acres on ten sites in the Willamette Valley and are business partners with Lynn and Jack Loacker. The Adelsheims and the Loackers own the estate together. Adelsheim still focuses on Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc.

Dundee Hills AVA is in Yamhill County, and it is entirely contained within the Willamette Valley AVA, Oregon’s best known appellation. Dundee Hills is about 30 miles southwest of Portland, and has 1,300 vineyard acres. It was awarded AVA status in 2004 and, like much of Oregon, is known for Pinot Noir. Several of Oregon’s 20th century wine pioneers established their vineyards and wineries in Dundee Hills, adding to its status as a region long-recognized for producing high quality, iconic Oregon wines. Eyrie Vineyards, Erath Winery and Sokol Blosser remain some of Oregon’s most celebrated producers, and all were founded in what is now Dundee Hills in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

This red wine is relatively light and can pair with a wide variety of foods. The grape prefers cooler climates and the wine is most often associated with Burgundy, Champagne and the U.S. west coast. Regional differences make it nearly as fickle as it is flexible.