Oregon Flight

Oregon Wine Country, particularly the Willamette Valley, is renowned for its unique terroir, which has been shaped by a combination of factors, including the region's cool climate, diverse soils, and proximity to the Pacific Ocean. The area’s terroir is particularly ideal for growing Pinot Noir, which thrives in the valley’s volcanic soils and moderate rainfall. The landscape's distinctiveness is partly due to the Missoula Floods, which occurred around 15,000 years ago. These catastrophic floods, caused by the breaching of an ice dam, inundated much of the region and left behind a complex mix of soils, from gravel to silt, which contributes to the rich diversity in Oregon wines today. The interplay of these geological and climatic influences makes Oregon Wine Country dynamic and sought-after. Every time I drive through the Gorge I try and imagine the massive floods that carved it out and deposited all that diverse soil in the Valley.

J Scott Cellars Pinot Gris 2023 $16

Autre Monde Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2023 $16

Scenic Valley Farms Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2023 $21

Carlton Cellars ‘Seven Devils' Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton 2023 $23

J.K. Carriere Wines 'Clarion' Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2022 $25

Bonus Wines

Cameron Chardonnay, Dundee Hills 2023 $26

Tim Malone Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2023 $26

Walter Scott Pinot Noir "Combe Verte" Willamette Valley 2023 $36