gorgeous wines.
release 27. may 2024.
gorgeous wines.
release 27, may 2024.
The Columbia Gorge exists in both Oregon and Washington. this is a wine region that doesn’t respect invisible boundaries. In this release, you’ll find wine grown on high alpine slopes on the Washington side, and on low slung valleys further south in Oregon. There’s Grenache here, but it’s not found in the cool, moist Underwood Mountain area–it’s closer to the Dalles, which actually gets hot enough to ripen it. There’s grape varieties from Spain, Austria, France and Georgia in this release. It serves to show how incredibly diverse the Gorge’s terroirs are, and the massive potential that is present here. In addition to the handpicked wines, enjoy recipe pairings from James Beard nominated chef, Ashley Rodriguez.
Teutonic Wine Co Pear Blossom Vineyard Grüner Veltliner 2022
Color: organic white beeswax
Grapes: 100% Grüner Veltliner
ABV: 10%
Region: Underwood Mountain, Columbia Gorge, WA
Winemaker: Barnaby & Olga Tuttle
Viniculture: organically farmed Grüner Veltliner grapes
Winemaking: gently pressed, fermented with wild yeasts, then aged in tank and some neutral barrel.
“aromas of fresh pulpy tree fruit, like green apple and Bosc pear–this vineyard lives up to its namesake”
Jackson’s Notes: I’ve been captivated by Barnaby and Olga Tuttle’s wines since I first tasted them years ago while working the floor at Canlis. I would often turn to Teutonic when I needed something outside the box for a food pairing or for a guest who didn’t like the bigger, oakier styles of Oregon wine. These are more cerebral wines that give lots of fruit, texture and silkiness without necessarily being “big” in the way that many west coast wines are big.
Teutonic’s Pear Blossom Vineyard Grüner Veltliner brings aromas of fresh pulpy tree fruit, like green apple and Bosc pear–this vineyard lives up to its namesake. Notes of tarragon and sweet basil swirl with fresh picked spring peas. This wine is a garden in early bloom. It’s not bone dry either, but that slight hint of sweetness is carried perfectly by a wisp of fresh acidity.
Food Pairings: a light, pretty, earthy white wine. savory qualities and notes like lentil, radish, fava beans, white flowers. dry and food-friendly. good for salads, or crudités.
Tarte Flambé by Ashley Rodriguez / www.notwithoutsalt.com
Music: “Cervecita” by Comida Para Llevar, Irepulsa, Tayko, Topo & Veztalone
Music Pairing: playful, fun, not-too-moody.
Doubblé Troubblé Rosé 2022
Color: honey butter (rosy, light pink w/hint of orange)
Grapes: 100% Grenache
ABV: 12.6%
Region: Columbia Gorge, WA
Winemaker: McIntosh Forrence
Viniculture: Sustainably farmed vineyards
Winemaking: (from Doubble Troubble) After a gentle press, we fermented this Rosé in stainless steel barrels until dry for ultimate drinkability.
“wisps of white pepper and juicy, fresh-picked strawberry”
Jackson’s Notes:
We are fans of rosé as a category, but very picky when it comes to finding ones we believe in. There’s a lot of garbage out there. But thankfully some amazing rosé is being made right in our backyard by the ski bums at Le Doubblé Troubblé, a duo that founded a tiny winery to make holistically-minded wines and celebrate their love for skiing and convivial fun.
This rosé is made from Grenache grapes grown in the Columbia Gorge. Any varietal rosé needs to meet our standards for freshness, purity and character. This wine really does taste like Grenache, with its wisps of white pepper and juicy, fresh-picked strawberry. A hint of river breeze and fresh herbs round out the finish. Pair this with good food, but sunshine above all else.
Food Pairing: Clams in Nettle Cream Sauce by Ashley Rodriguez
Music: “You Make Me Feel” by Supalung, Sam Brookes and Pete Josef
Description: as fun and lively as this rosé is, you gotta put on some fun tunes with it!
Landmass “Heavy Glow” Sparkling Rosé 2022
Color: rose quartz
Grape: 52% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir, 18% Pinot Gris
ABV: 12.8%
Region: Underwood Mountain, Columbia Gorge, WA
Winemaker: Melaney Schmidt and Malia
Viniculture: Organically and sustainably-farmed vineyards around Underwood Mountain
“This Heavy Glow Sparkling Rosé encapsulates pure deliciousness”.
Jackson’s Notes:
We love the work that Mel and Malia are doing at Landmass. They’re creating wine that reflects the bounty of the Columbia Gorge. Their whole aesthetic, including the wines themselves, reflects playfulness and accessibility. We’ve poured next to Mel at events and bought each other’s merch. We love to support a friend.
This Heavy Glow Sparkling Rosé encapsulates pure deliciousness. With a frothy bubble and a fresh, lively red fruit profile, it’s pretty much perfect with any charcuterie board, pickles or crunchy snacks you can throw at it. It gives notes of strawberry Jolly Rancher, wet stone and sweet basil, and finishes brisk, tart and clean.
Food Pairing: Seedy Rye Flatbread with Spruce Tip Gravlax, Cremé Fraiche and Red Onion by Ashley Rodriguez / Rooted Kitchen
Music: “Paradis” by Donna Blue
Description: a wine that provides the ultimate chill vibes ought to have a song that does the same. And this frenchy, insouciant, laid-back groove by Donna Blue is just right.
Gorgiste Gamay Noir 2023
Color: garnet
Grapes: 100% Gamay Noir
ABV: 12.4%
Region: Rainmaker Vineyard, Columbia Gorge, WA
Winemaker: Jeff Lindsay-Thorsen
Viniculture: practicing organic, sustainably-farmed vineyard
Winemaking: partial whole-cluster ferment, aged in neutral oak
“This wine is a windy day on a high mountain above the river–at turns warm and brisk.“
Jackson’s Notes:
Jeff Lindsay-Thorsen and I go way back. We’ve studied and tasted for exams together, I’ve poured his wine at WT Vintners’ table at wine festivals, and we’ve drank some seriously great wines together. When he started a new project in the Columbia Gorge, my ears perked up. If you remember 2020’s “illicit 7” you’ll recall that Jeff and I have collaborated on a private label before, so the chance to do it again was too great to pass up!
Enter Gorgeiste Gamay Noir, bottled especially for Fruit. Jeff was able to beautifully integrate our logo into the Gorgeiste label. This is a single run wine, and there is no more available.
Black cherry, sweet turned earth and caramelized mushroom lead to thyme and rose petal aromas. This wine is a windy day on a high mountain above the river–at turns warm and brisk, but always adventurous.
Food Pairing: Whole Roasted Chicken with Morel & Spring Onion Cream by Ashley Rodriguez / Rooted Kitchen
Music: “Still Here” by Les Imprimés
Description: laid-back, a touch twangy and jazzy, just right for a wine that gives such yummy fruit.
Annalemma Tinto 2022
Color: alizarin crimson
Grapes: Grenache/Tempranillo/Mencia
ABV: 13.9%
Region: Mosier Hills, Oregon
Winemaker: Steven Thompson
Viniculture/Winemaking: Analemma’s vineyards are Demeter-certified Biodynamic, and farmed in accordance with balance and
Harvested September 15 - October 2. Elements of this blend were co-fermented while others were picked and processed separately. 35% whole cluster fermentation in open top stainless steel fermenters. Aged on lees in 500L & 600L oak barrels for 15 months. 300 cases produced. Demeter certified Biodynamic wine. (harvest notes from Analemma)
“It’s marvelous, savory, complex and delightful .”
Jackson’s Notes:
It’s such a privilege to have this wine in a box. I’ve been admiring Analemma since 2014 when I first tasted their Blanc de Noirs and Syrah, and put them on the list at Canlis. They were one of the first Columbia Gorge producers to become Demeter Certified, and have always had extremely transparent winemaking and vineyard practices.
It’s hard to believe this wine wasn’t made in Spain. Analemma’s Tinto begins with a ripe nose of red fruit, herbal leafy notes, and a wonderful crushed pink and black peppercorn aroma. On the palate, you feel the ripe strawberry of Grenache, the dusty leather of Tempranillo, and the roasted herbs of Mencia. It’s marvelous, savory, complex and delightful. We can’t wait for you to open it.
Food Pairing: Cacio e Pepe by Ashley Rodriguez / Date Night In
Music: “The Ascent” by Mount Hush
Description: Most of the songs in this release reflect the laid back nature of life in the Gorge. And this one is like hiking a mountain slowly, it’s in no hurry. But still with a goal in mind.
Golden Cluster “Paint, Dye, Give Color” Saperavi
Color: rhodolite
Grapes: 100% Saperavi
ABV: 12.65%
Region: <Redacted Vineyard>, Columbia Gorge, OR
Winemaker: Jeff Vejr
Viniculture: dry farmed with low-intervention techniques, with a combination of own-rooted and grafted Saperavi vines, from four different Georgian clonal selections
Winemaking: fermented with native yeasts in AD Beckham’s Oregon-made Amphora clay pots. Aged for 11 months in Amphora post-fermentation. Bottled with tiny amounts of SO2 and nothing else.
“This wine is like the LaBrea tar pits–it’s always bubbling up with antediluvian secrets from its dark, mysterious depths.”
Jackson’s Notes: Jeff Vejr is one of those winemakers that you can’t stop admiring. It seems like every year I try something completely new and different from Jeff, with a true experimental bent to it. He’s making wine from amazing vineyards throughout the Willamette Valley and the Columbia Gorge, but it’s his treatment of an ancient red grape from Georgia that got our attention this release.
Paint, Dye, Give Color is a nod to Saperavi’s role in winemaking. As a true teinturier grape with both red skin and red pulp, it’s one that can give deep purple and black tones to the wine it produces. This dense, chewy grapiness finds its way to both the nose and palate–you get some hints of Concord grape, but it feels like it’s meant to be there. Ash, tar, leather, meat and black plum come to the surface as you swirl. This wine is like the LaBrea tar pits–it’s always bubbling up with antediluvian secrets from its dark, mysterious depths.
Food Pairing: Our Burger with Special Sauce by Ashley Rodriguez / Date Night In
Music: “Was Vino” by Vista Chino
Description: that very spooky, mysterious, chunky vibe just feels to fit this wine’s ambition. Plus this song’s called Mas Vino, you can’t go wrong with that.