Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Fall Winter 2016 Southern Oregon Wine Scene
Fall Winter 2016 Southern Oregon Wine Scene
WINE SCENE
Fall Winter 2016
experience
6 / VINEYARD VIP's
Since all great wines start in the vineyard,
discover what three local vineyard
managers do and how their unique styles
influence your favorite wines.
10 / BUDDING DEVELOPMENT
If youve always imagined building your
dream home surrounded by vineyards,
now is the perfect time at the Vineyards at
Stage Pass near Jacksonville!
46 / A FOODIE FIRST
A delectable new discovery awaits you
in the Applegate Valley as Wooldridge
Creek Winery becomes the first combined
Winery/Creamery/Charcuterie in Oregon.
Whitman Parker
OFFICE
220 E California Street
Historic Downtown Jacksonville
MAILING
PO Box 1114
Jacksonville OR 97530
sowinescene.com
facebook/southernoregonwinescene
PRINTED LOCALLY BY
Valley Web Printing
OUR CONTRIBUTORS
Retired Naval Officer MJ Daspit moved from San Diego, CA with
husband Gary Greksouk to Ashland in 2004, where she began
a second career as a writer. Daspits published works include
the pictorial history ROGUE VALLEY WINE, co-authored with
winemaker Eric Weisinger (Arcadia Publishing, 2011) and a
historical novel, LUCY LIED (Fireship Press, 2014).
CONTACT US / TO ADVERTISE
whitman@sowinescene.com
production@sowinescene.com
541-899-9500 office
541-601-1878 mobile
PHOTOGRAPHERS
From snow country to wine country, Subaru makes getting there half the fun!
Test drive one today at:
Its 8pm and the late afternoon winds have died down. Ross and Jen Allen ride
the perimeter of their east Medford vineyard on horseback. And while that
sounds quite romanticas does owning a vineyardthe Allens are all business.
They are laser-focused on developing 2Hawk into a world-class winery.
he fact is, just hours ago, Ross was in the middle of the vines on his vineyardmodel John Deere tractor, checking the progress he and his vineyard workers
have made in preparation of harvest. Im really happy with how the vines look this
year. Its because of the constant attention weve been giving themevery dayand
all by hand.
This, their third harvest since purchasing 2Hawk, will be especially meaningful.
This harvests bounty will be 100 percent processed in their brand new, state-of-theart winery, built onsite.
But lets back up. The truth is that the Allens weren't in the market for a vineyard
or winery when they were house hunting in the area. But they fell in love with the
Tuscan-style home nestled back in the vineyard.
"We looked at the big picture and the opportunity," Jen said. "We knew the
Southern Oregon wine scene was up-and-coming. And we saw potential for
expansion and improvement."
They are well positioned to make this happen. As they evaluated their talents
and experience, it seemed like it could work. A third generation farmer, Ross
grew up in the Central Valley of California. On his familys west Fresno County
farm, Ross grew sugar beets, garlic, cotton and more. Today, Ross is still involved
in the Central Valley with his successful 1,400-acre almond and pistachio farm
in Coalinga. With this background, Ross is embracing the challenges a vineyard
brings and is wielding his unique knowledge and innovative farming techniques at
the Rogue Valley vineyard.
Rosss success comes from a combination of experience, constant research and
natural intuition, says Jen. No one in southern Oregon is using the techniques and
tools that Ross is usingespecially related to irrigation and vineyard management.
We are much attuned to our environment, taking a natural approach to farming.
Our pest and vermin control is naturalusing resident barn owls, ladybugs,
jackrabbits and our namesake red-tailed hawks. In the spring, you can see
Ross getting off his tractor to move the killdeer bird nests out of harms way
underneath a vine trellis instead of in the vineyard rowas they nest in the rocky
soil and eat vineyard bugs.
A native of Humboldt County, Calif., Jens background is strong in customer
service and business operations. To enhance her team, Jen hired Holly Andreson,
with 18 years experience at Rombauer Vineyards, as retail and business
development manager.
We view this operation as a three-legged stool, Ross says. It takes expertise
in farming, hospitality and winemaking to succeed. Jen and I have the first two
covered, and thats why we hired Kiley Evans as our winemaker. He makes up the
third leg of the stool and puts us on a strong foundation.
Evans is UC Davis-educated with a 6-year history at Abacela Winery, along with
winemaking experience at Agate Ridge Vineyard, Ledger David Cellars and several
other area wineries. He was happy to return to the Rogue Valley after 3 years
making wine in North Carolina.
Its a dream job, Evans says. Ross has given me carte blanche in designing a
new wineryIm like a kid in a candy store! There will be things you wont see
anywhere related to safety, production and labs. Its coming together quickly.
2Hawk is bringing crushing and winemaking operations, previously handled by
Pallet Wine Co., in-house this fall. S&B James Construction Management Co. is
the design/build contractor for the 14,000-square-foot winery off Campbell Road,
south of the 2Hawk tasting room on North Phoenix Road. "This will give us greater
quality control and personal input where we can really fine-tune the style of wine,"
said Ross.
With 23.5 acres currently planted, there is room onsite to expand to 30 total acres
of vines. The first block, containing tempranillo and viognier, was planted earlier
this decade. The second block is tempranillo but only every other row was planted,
which the Allens filled in 2014 with more tempranillo. Existing, poor-quality
chardonnay vines were removed and replanted with Wente and Robert Young
clones. Pinot noir, malbec, grenache, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, merlot,
sauvignon blanc, muscat, and additional chardonnay were planted in 2015. The
new plantings will allow the 2016 vintage to be 100 percent estate grown.
2Hawk produced slightly more than 1,000 cases last year. The new winery will be
capable of producing 10,000 cases, or about what can be grown on the property.
The multi-million dollar winery will be powered by a first-in-the-valley solar
array, and will have dedicated presses and processing lines for luxury-quality white
and red wines featuring the most innovative de-stemming technology available.
It will feature a state-of-the-art laboratory and will rely on sustainable, low
impact methods for energy conservation, including a gravity-flow crush pad and
small batch fermentations to minimize temperature control needs.
The initial 50-kilowatt solar panels will produce 100 percent of the energy
needed in the winery, Evans said. As production expands, it will probably supply
about 70 percent of the energy needed.
As the vineyard and winery take shape in the way Ross and Jen envision, perhaps
the horseback rides at dusk can take on more of a romantic feel. But for now, theres
work to be done, and Ross and Jen are up for it. In a T-shirt sporting the letters
E-I-E-I-O, Ross says, I dont come to work wearing loafers and slacksnever have,
and I love it that way.
l-r: Kiley Evans, Holly Andreson, and owners, Jen and Ross Allen
by WHITMAN PARKER
11
ines flow as freely from kegs throughout Southern Oregon as they have from
bottles. And the trend is picking up speed.
Its something new, and its a story, says Rachel Koning, marketing coordinator
for the new Common Block Brewing Co. in downtown Medford.
Southern Oregons story of wines by the glasspoured from kegsbegan in
2009 at Ashlands Standing Stone Brewing Co. Supplied by Wooldridge Creek in
Grants Pass, kegged wines were such a boon to winery, restaurant and consumer
alike that the concept became a cornerstone of Common Block, the sister enterprise
of Standing Stone.
Were not planning on having any bottles at all, says Koning, explaining that
wines will have dedicated tap lines, alongside craft beers and ciders at Common
Block, which projected an autumn 2016 opening.
More of the regions restaurants are tapping the potential of kegged wines, the
majority produced by nearby wineries. Benefits of bypassing bottling include
reductions in cost and waste, savings in space and fuel and outlets for offering
limited-edition vintages on more fluid wine lists. Plus, kegs give smaller, lesser-known
wineries a vehicle for bringing wine out of their tasting rooms and into dining rooms.
The beer people figured this out a long time ago, says Greg Paneitz, winemaker
and partner at Wooldridge Creek. Really, once someone begins to put wine in
kegs, they dont go back.
Paneitz has never looked back as his winerys restaurant accounts grew in seven
years from singular status with Standing Stone to approximately 50 throughout the
state. Previously challenged to wholesale its wines, Wooldridge Creek increased
annual production from 50 cases, says Paneitz, to the keg equivalent of 2,000 cases.
The volume skyrocketed.
Falling costs characterize keg-wine programs, say restaurateurs and winemakers.
Wineries slash their bills for bottles, corks, labels and foils. And transporting
larger quantities of wine in kegs conserves considerable fuel. Both of these savings
simultaneously shrink the carbon footprints of wineries and restaurants.
One of the biggest things is just that waste-reduction standpoint, says Koning.
In its first year of furnishing Standing Stones wines in 15-gallon, reusable kegs,
Wooldridge Creek eliminated nearly five tons of glass from its operation. Delivery,
a 65-mile round trip, shifted to once every four to six weeks, instead of each week.
The back seat of a standard-sized passenger car can easily accommodate a keg
containing the same volume as six, much bulkier, cases of wine.
Its the least expensive way for a small winery to get wine out there, says Sandi
Garoutte, co-owner of Rosellas Vineyard & Winery in Grants Pass.
Fewer expenses for wineries and restaurants engender more competitive pricing.
Southern Oregon wines on tap can be had for as little as $5 per glass. Rarely do
glass prices locally rise above $8 for keg wine.
12
by SARAH LEMON
13
ROGUE VALLEY
ROGUE VALLEY
Rogue
Creamery
Kaleidoscope
CENTRAL POINT
MEDFORD
Caprice Vineyards / Pg 31
970 Old Stage Road
Central Point OR 97502
EdenVale Winery / Pg 21
2310 Voorhies Road
Medford OR 97501
RoxyAnn Winery / Pg 22
3285 Hillcrest Road
Medford OR 97504
Bambu
Larks
Elements
TALENT
Paschal Winery & Vineyard / Pg 24
1122 Suncrest Road
Talent OR 97540
See page 30
for a detailed
map of
Jacksonville
Pebblestone Cellars / Pg 25
1670 Pioneer Road
Talent OR 97540
StoneRiver Vineyard / Pg 25
2178 Pioneer Road
Talent OR 97540
ASHLAND
Belle Fiore Winery / Pg 15
100 Belle Fiore Lane
Ashland OR 97520
Pony
Espresso
Loft Brasserie
Larks
ROGUE VALLEY
Hours:*
Wednesday & Sunday, noon-8pm
Thursday-Saturday, noon-9pm
15
ROGUE VALLEY
16
ROGUE VALLEY
17
ROGUE VALLEY
18
ROGUE VALLEY
Varietals:
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Sauvignon
Chardonnay
Grenache
Malbec
Merlot
Muscat
Pinot Noir
Sauvignon Blanc
Tempranillo
Viognier
19
ROGUE VALLEY
Ashley Campanella
at Eden Valley Orchards.
by SARAH LEMON
EdenVale Winery
2310 Voorhies Road
Medford OR 97501
541-512-2955 x2
edenvalleyorchards.com
Hours:
Sunday-Thursday, 11am-6pm
Friday-Saturday, 11am-7pm
Varietals:
Cabernet Sauvignon
Chardonnay
Grenache
Malbec
Merlot
Pinot Gris
Pinot Noir
Syrah
Tempranillo
Viognier
ROGUE VALLEY
EDENVALE WINERY
Elements Tapas B
first tapas bar, an
quite simple: take
make wonderful
great drink.
Located on the corner of FRONT and
MAIN Streets in OldTown Medford.
541.779.0135 | w w w . e l e m e n t s m e d f o r d . c o m
SOUTHERN OREGON WINE SCENE / FALL WINTER 2016
21
ROGUE VALLEY
ROXYANN WINERY
Top Ranked
Realtor in
U.S. by Real
Trends, Wall
Street Journal
22
RoxyAnn Winery
3283 Hillcrest Road
Medford OR 97504
541-776-2315
roxyann.com
Hours:
Monday-Thursday, noon-7pm
Friday,11am-9pm
Saturday & Sunday, 11am-7pm
Varietals:
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Sauvignon
Chardonnay
Claret
Malbec
Merlot
Pinot Gris
Pinot Noir
Sauvignon Blanc
Syrah
Tempranillo
Viognier
ROGUE VALLEY
Book Online
541.200.9898
platinumxcursions.com
23
ROGUE VALLEY
An Expansive Selection
Sharing a bottle of wine with friends
and family is truly one of lifes simple
pleasures. At Rays Food Place we have
an expansive wine selection which
includes high quality, hand-selected
local and regional wines. Explore our
stunning variety of wines today!
Contact Head Winemaker Chris Graves for a private tour and consultation.
24
Pebblestone Cellars
New Tasting Room, Fall 2016
1670 Pioneer Road
Talent OR 97540
541-512-1704 or 541-512-1655
pebblestonecellars.com
Hours:
April-November,
Daily except Tuesdays, noon-5pm
December-March,
please see website
Varietals:
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Sauvignon
Melange (our bordeaux blend)
Merlot
Pinot Gris
Rose of Syrah
Syrah
Tempranillo
Viognier
Varietals Coming in 2017
Albario
Malbec
StoneRiver Vineyard
2178 Pioneer Road
Talent OR 97540
541-864-9234
stonerivervineyard.com
Hours:
May-October,
Wednesday-Monday, Noon-6pm
Closed Tuesday
November-April,
Saturday & Sunday, noon-5pm
Varietals:
Chardonnay
Crimson Blend
Grenache
Pinot Gris
Ros
Syrah
Viognier
ROGUE VALLEY
STONERIVER VINEYARD
PEBBLESTONE CELLARS
25
2016 results
Best of Show
White Pebblestone Cellars 2015 Viognier $22
Winemaker Bryan Wilson
Red Plaisance Ranch 2013 Syrah $30
Winemaker Joe Ginet
Other - Cuckoos Nest Cellars 2015 Fizz, Early Muscat $15
Winemaker Bryan Wilson
Gold Medal
26
UPPER ROGUE
GOLD HILL
UPPER ROGUE
EAGLE POINT
Agate Ridge Vineyard / Pg 28
1098 Nick Young Road
Eagle Point OR 97524
WHITE CITY
Kriselle Cellars / PG 29
12956 Modoc Road
White City OR 97503
27
UPPER ROGUE
Pinot Gris
Sauvignon Blanc
Viognier
28
KRISELLE CELLARS
SOUTHERN OREGON WINERY TOURS
Simple &
Authentic
UPPER ROGUE
Kriselle Cellars
12956 Modoc Road
White City OR 97503
541-830-VINO (8466)
krisellecellars.com
Hours:
Summer Hours, Daily,
11am-5:30pm, with some
extended evening hours
Winter Hours, WednesdaySunday, 11am-5:30 pm
Check our website or Facebook
page for updates
Varietals:
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Sauvignon
Malbec
Red Blends (Di'tani and S/CS)
Ros
Sangiovese
Sauvignon Blanc
Tempranillo
Viognier
www.WineHopperTours.com
855.550.WINE
29
APPLEGATE ROGUE
B U I L D I N G C O M PA N Y
JACKSONVILLE
Applegate Rogue Building Company is proud to sponsor the Maslow Projec t and the Southern
Oregon Smoked Salmon Festival. Both provide goal-oriented, wrap-around suppor t ser vices
throughout Southern Oregon to homeless children and their families. The purpose is to bring
stability into the children's lives so that they can stay in school and complete their educations.
JACKSONVILLE
Caprice Vineyards / Pg 31
970 Old Stage Road
Central Point OR 97502
Daisy Creek Vineyard / Pg 32
675 Shafer Lane
Jacksonville OR 97530
Back Porch
Bar & Grill
Pony
Espresso
Bella Union
Jville Inn
Frau Kemmling
Schoolhaus Brewhaus
CAPRICE VINEYARDS
BROKER
SANDY J. BROWN
Caprice Vineyards
970 Old Stage Road
Central Point OR 97502
541-499-0449
capricevineyards.com
Hours:
March-December,
Thursday-Monday, noon-5pm
Closed Tuesday & Wednesday
January & February,
Saturday & Sunday, noon-5pm
Varietals:
Blush
Cabernet Sauvignon
Chardonnay
Claret
Gewurztraminer
Port
Viognier
2
Craftsman Farmhouse
$939,000
Jacksonville Manor
$799,000
$1,195,000
Sandy J. Brown
CELL: 831.588.8204
1
2
3
sandyjbrown@gmail.com
OFFICE: 541.734.0043
WesternPropertiesofSouthernOregon
31
JACKSONVILLE
pure panache!
{541} 899 8000
JACKSONVILLE
32
JacksonvilleOregon.com
33
DANCIN VINEYARDS
Findthe
the
Find
Perfect Gift
Perfect
Gift
Cookware, Gadgets
and
Gifts You
Cant Find
Cookware,
Gadgets
and
Anywhere
Else.
Gifts You Cant Find
Anywhere Else.
JACKSONVILLE
OPEN DAILY
May-September:
Thursday-Sunday, noon-8pm
Or by appointment
Varietals:
Chardonnay
Barbera
Pinot Noir
Port
Syrah
QUADY NORTH
Winter/Spring Hours:
Thursday-Sunday, 11am-6pm
(Begin Labor Day)
Summer/Fall Hours:
Thursday-Monday,11am-7pm
(Begin Memorial Day)
Varietals:
Cabernet Franc
Grenache
Marsanne
Merlot
Muscat
Port
Rousanne
Syrah
Viognier
Jacksonville Company
Where style meets elegance.
JACKSONVILLE
Quady North
255 California Street
Jacksonville OR 97530
541-702-2123
quadynorth.com
35
Congratulations!
Extensive Wine List Featuring Local Wines All Available By The Glass!
JACKSONVILLE
David Pfrimmer
$1,217,000
326-6262
www.SouthernOregonHomes.org
W
Van Vleet Jacksonville 505 N. 5th St,
Jacksonville, OR 97530
541-899-2000
JACKSONVILLE
pfrimmer@windermere.com
Discover
The Wine Shop
at The Inn
WillowCreek
Jacksonville
Great selection of
Native American
Jewelry!
Jewelry
Unique Gifts
Souvenirs
37
APPLEGATE VALLEY
Schultz Wines / Pg 44
755 Slagle Creek Rd
Grants Pass OR 97527
Serra Vineyards / Pg 44
222 Missouri Flat Road
Grants Pass OR 97527
Troon Vineyard / Pg 45
1475 Kubli Road
Grants Pass OR 97527
APPLEGATE VALLEY
JACKSONVILLE SIDE
Devitt Winery & Vineyards / Pg 40
11412 Hwy 238
Jacksonville OR 97530
Honeysuckle Cafe
Fiasco Winery / Pg 41
8035 Hwy 238
Jacksonville OR 97530
Longsword Vineyard / Pg 41
8555 Hwy 238
Jacksonville OR 97530
Red Lily Vineyards / Pg 42
11777 Hwy. 238
Jacksonville OR 97530
Valley View Winery / Pg 42
1000 Upper Applegate Road
Jacksonville OR 97530
38
where agriculture
meets artistry
Join us for our Fall
Uncorked Barrel Tour
www.applegatewinetrail.com
APPLEGATE VALLEY
From lush valley floors to steep, terraced hillsides, vineyards are planted
on all kinds of topography in countless wine regions around the world.
While wine country is always picturesque, few settings are as strikingly
beautiful as the Applegate Valley in Southern Oregon. In what Sunset
Magazine called Wine country the way it should be, here youll
find a group of 17 unique wineries producing a diverse array of
outstanding wines.
DEVITT WINERY
the
Very Best
APPLEGATE VALLEY
Places to Stay
countryhouseinns.com
40
Varietals:
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot
Pinot Noir
Syrah
Tempranillo
Viognier
LONGSWORD VINEYARD
FIASCO WINERY/JACKSONVILLE
VINEYARDS is a family-owned, boutique
vineyard and winery located just 8 miles west of
historic Jacksonville. After twenty years of travel
abroad, owners Dave and Pamela Palmer returned
to Southern Oregon to build their vision of a
"village vineyard and winery.
Hours:
October-April,
Saturday & Sunday, noon-5pm
May-September,
Wednesday-Sunday, 11am-5pm
CLOSED January
Varietals:
Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot
Sangiovese
Syrah
Zinfandel
LongSword Vineyard
8555 Hwy 238
Jacksonville OR 97530
541-899-1746
LongSwordVineyard.com
Hours:
Daily, noon-5pm
Harvest Festival & Pumpkin Chuckin',
Sunday, October 23rd, noon-4pm
Varietals:
Chardonnay
Dolcetto
Gerwurtztraminer
Merlot
Sparkling Chardonnay
Sparkling Ros
Zinfandel
41
APPLEGATE VALLEY
RED LILY VINEYARDS is a boutique, familyowned winery in the beautiful Applegate Valley,
specializing in classic Spanish wines, including
Tempranillo and Verdejo. Red Lily is named for
Bolanders Lily, a rare species of red lily growing
in the nearby Siskiyou Mountains, and for the
owners daughter, Lily.
Red Lilys winery and tasting room are located
in an idyllic setting on the banks of the
Applegate River with an amazing riverside
beach, the site of their popular summer concert
series featuring rising local musical artists.
APPLEGATE VALLEY
Hours:
Daily, 11am-5pm
Varietals:
Graciano
Grenache
Tempranillo
Verdejo
Dessert Wines
42
43
APPLEGATE VALLEY
SCHULTZ WINES
SERRA VINEYARDS
APPLEGATE VALLEY
Schultz Wines
755 Slagle Creek Rd
Grants Pass OR 97527
541-414-8448
schultzwines.com
Hours:
September-May,
Saturday & Sunday, noon-5pm
and by appointment
As a family business, we have
occasional closures. Please check our
website or Facebook page for details.
Varietals:
Chardonnay
Merlot
Pinot Gris
Pinot Noir
Syrah
Tempranillo Dessert Wine
Viognier
44
Serra Vineyards
222 Missouri Flat Road
Grants Pass OR 97527
541-846-9223
serravineyards.com
Hours:
Daily, 11am-5pm
Varietals:
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Sauvignon
Malbec
Merlot
Pinot Noir
Tempranillo
Syrah
Viognier
TROON VINEYARD
Hours:
Daily, 11am-5pm
Appointments not required,
except for large groups.
APPLEGATE VALLEY
Troon Vineyard
1475 Kubli Road
Grants Pass OR 97527
541-846-9900
troonvineyard.com
Varietals:
Vermentino
Tannat
Malbec
Syrah
Sangiovese
Tempranillo
Zinfandel
Creative Co-Ferments
45
by SARAH LEMON
APPLEGATE VALLEY
Hours:
Daily, 11am-5pm
Varietals:
Cabernet
Chardonnay
Gewurztraminer
Malbec
Merlot
Pinot Noir
Riesling
Sauvignon
Syrah
Tempranillo
Viognier
Zinfandel
APPLEGATE VALLEY
47
UMPQUA VALLEY
VALLEY MAP / Pg 14
ROGUE
Winery Info & Pairings / Pgs14-25
ROGUE MAP / Pg 27
UPPER
Winery Info & Pairings / Pgs 27-29
MAP / Pg 30
JACKSONVILLE
Winery Info & Pairings / Pgs 30-37
VALLEY MAP / Pg 38
APPLEGATE
Winery Info & Pairings / Pgs 38-47
UMPQUA VALLEY MAP / Pg 48
APPLEGATE VALLEY
49
fter vinification, the conversion of grape juice into wine via fermentation,
the next step on the grapes journey is the bottling line. Some wineries have
their own bottling equipment; others use mobile bottling services, a bottling
line contained in the trailer of a semi-truck. Either way, wine that starts out in a stainless
or oak tank will end up in bottles, sealed, labeled and packed twelve to the case.
Wine bottles come in three basic varieties. The tall, thin, flute-shaped bottle
of green glass known as Rhine- or Alsatian-style originated in regions near the
Franco-German border. Southern Oregon winemakers commonly use this type
of bottle for Gewrztraminer and Riesling. A clear glass version may also be used
for ros. The high shouldered, straight-sided bottle is synonymous with Bordeaux
wines. Youll find red Bordeaux varietals such as Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet Franc
and Cabernet Sauvignon in the dark green bottle of this type. For the white
Bordeaux, Sauvignon Blanc, the winemaker may choose either a clear or green
Bordeaux bottle. For Burgundies, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, or Rhne varietals
such as Syrah, a gently-sloped, soft shouldered green bottle of a larger diameter
than the Bordeaux is typically used. A Champagne bottle is a Burgundy
bottle on steroids, with heavier, thicker glass to withstand the pressure of the
effervescent wine.
Both Bordeaux- and Burgundy-style bottles traditionally feature a depression in
the bottom known as a punt. The punt is a stylistic feature that originated when
bottles were handmade, using a pontil rod that was attached to the bottom of the
bottle to help turn it while being blown. If the rod had simply been broken off the
finished bottle, leaving an uneven scar, the bottle would have been unstable due to
the unevenness of the bottom. To avoid this, the bottom of the bottle was pushed in
before the pontil rod was detached, forming the punt.
Winemakers often channel wine from the tank to the bottling line using a
gravity-feed arrangement to minimize agitation incidental to pumping that can
damage delicate vintages. The filling apparatus of the bottling line incorporates a
jet of nitrogen gas that blows out any dust that may have settled in the empty bottle
and also displaces harmful oxygen before the bottle is filled with wine.
The filled bottle passes down the line to the sealing apparatus where it will be
corked, topped with a metal screw cap, or closed with a glass stopper known by the
commercial name Vinoseal. If a cork is used, either natural or synthetic, a slight
suction is created at the neck of the bottle before the cork is pushed in to keep it
securely inserted. Cork closures are finished with a capsule, a covering that encases
the top couple of inches of the bottle. Capsules, also known as foils, were once
made of lead but today are commonly tin, aluminum, or plastic.
50
Front and back labels are applied at the last station on the bottling line. Label
requirements for wines sold in the US are set by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and
Trade Bureau (TTB). The front label will typically show:
brand namecommonly the name of the winery
appellation or growing regionin the United States, this would be the American
Viticultural Area (AVA) where the grapes used to make the wine were grown
type of winethis may denote a varietal designation, a generic blend, or a
proprietary blend
vintagethe year the grapes were harvested
Back label information usually includes:
government warningsthese include disclaimers about sulfites used in the
processing of the wine and warnings concerning consumption of alcohol by
pregnant women and people operating machinery or driving
volume of contentsthe usual bottle size is 750 ml
alcohol by volumeexpressed as a percentage, the range for table wine is
7%-14%, with 1.5% variation allowed; thus, if the label says the wine is 12.5%
alcohol, it may legally be from 11% to 14%
winemakers descriptorsthese may include information on the vineyard where
the grapes were grown, the weather conditions that influenced the vintage, and
tasting notes
Some states, including Oregon, add requirements with respect to varietal
designation that exceed those imposed federally. Under Oregon Liquor Control
Commission (OLCC) rules, a wine is a blend if it contains less than 75% of a
single varietal. A wine that is 75% Viognier and 25% Marsanne can be labeled
Viognier, but a wine that is 60% Viognier, 25% Marsanne and 15% Rousanne
would be labeled as a blend. Oregon Pinot Noir carries more stringent label
requirements than other varietals. It must be 90% Pinot Noir to bear the varietal
designation and 95% from a single Oregon AVA to carry that area designation.
Thus, a label that reads Southern Oregon Pinot Noir must be 95% Pinot Noir
grown in Southern Oregon.
With labeling complete, the wine is boxed in case lots and warehoused until the
date set by the winemaker for release. Bottle aging is considered necessary to allow
the effects of bottle shock to dissipate, resulting from the absorption of oxygen
during the bottling process.
Once bottled, our wine needs to be stored and then released, the next step in the
grapes journey as it makes the trip from winery to consumer. Stay tuned.
IN THE
APPLEGATE VALLEY
Expansive south facing valley & mountain views 3BD/3BA | 3,550 Sq Ft.
Wine cellar | 600 sq ft Guest house with kitchen and full bath
Geothermal | 8000 Watts Solar | Wheelchair Friendly
22.5 acres with trails & fruit trees | Huge garage & shop | $1,395,000 | MLS 2964343
Graham Farran
Executive Broker
Sales/Marketing Manager
Kambria DeCamp
Executive Broker
Jason Engelskirchen
Executive Broker
Ben Joffer
Executive Broker
Cindy Lowe
Broker/Inside Sales
Gayle Pobuda
Principal Broker
Jacksonville Office: 620 N 5th St | Ashland Office: 116 Lithia Way Ste 7 | Sales: 541-899-7788 | expertprops.com |
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Innsbruck
Ridge
Innsbruck Ridge
541.770.9096 p
503.810.8329 c
SamSarich@gmail.com
InnsbruckRidge.com
www.innsbruckridge.com
CCB: 61267