Description
Each of Ken Wright Cellars single vineyard Pinot noir, has its own label artwork designed by local artist, David Berkvam. Ken and Karen fell in love with David’s work while touring one of his shows in Portland. At the time, Ken and Karen were looking to upgrade from the current white and gold signature Pinot noir label to something that left a lasting impression on wine lovers. David certainly had the talent for creating a lasting impression on people with his unique beeswax based art. Ken and Karen wanted something that conveyed the hard work and perseverance it takes to create high quality Pinot noir in Oregon, focusing on the long and cold, wet days of winter pruning. From that thought, and relationship struck with David, the original Pinot Noir label was created.
Shaped by millions of years of plate subduction and volcanic activity, Oregon’s Willamette Valley is one of the premier Pinot noir producing areas in the world. The Willamette Valley AVA was established in 1983, with the initial vineyard plantings beginning in 1966. This 100-mile long, 60-mile wide valley stretches between the Columbia River in the north, to just south of Eugene with the Oregon Coast Range in the west and the Cascade Mountains in the East. Due to the protection of the mountains on eastern and western boundaries, the Willamette Valley is a cooler climate region that provides for a long, gentle growing season, perfect for deliciously complex Pinot noir.
Minimal handling of wine is essential to preserve what it is: a gift of nature. At Ken Wright Cellars we believe in small batch fermentation. Each vineyard, further separated by clones, is hand sorted, fermented in small 1 1/4 ton open vat fermenters until dryness, then pressed and aged separately.
Light to medium-bodied, Oregon Pinot is more finely boned than California Pinot, and displays a wide, aromatic range of flavors including strawberry, raspberry, delicate floral notes, and earthier notes like mushroom and truffle.
As with other famous regions that produce this Noble grape, Oregon's Pinot Noir can be as sophisticated and compelling as a fine red Burgundy.
While the wine industry in Oregon is relatively young, world-class wines, especially Pinot Noir have come from this cool climate region for years.
The heart of the Oregon wine industry lies in the Willamette Valley, and has a similar latitude and climate as Burgundy. Pinot Noir first made its way to this picturesque region in 1959, thanks to the man who is widely credited as the father of Oregon Pinot Noir, Richard Sommers. He planted the first vines in Umpqua Valley and later established HillCrest Vineyard in Roseberg, in 1961.
Pinot Noir is challenging to grow, it's a small vine with tight clusters, and is susceptible to issues like rot and mildew. Known as the “heartbreak grape”, it can be a headache for winemakers and vineyard managers alike, yet is grown all over the world, and can command higher prices than other varieties for this reason.
Oregon Pinot is excellent paired with pork tenderloin, duck, cedar plank salmon, and just about anything with wild mushrooms.
Origin：Willamette Valley, America
Type：Red Wine
Grapes：Pinot Noir
Alcohol：13.5%
Bottle Size：750ml
