2022 "For Heaven's Sake, Don't Move Here"

Willamette Valley AVA   •   $24

This is my orange wine, and it’s an ironically-named tribute to explorers and immigrants. Vitis vinifera is, of course, not native to this hemisphere, and in the long view of things, so few of us are. But as we put down roots we adapt to our new home, and ideally harmonize with it, rather than bend it to our will.

I cofermented 79% Pinot gris and 21% Grüner veltliner with 10 days of skin contact in an open-topped fermentor. Following a gentle press in a basket press, the wine aged for 4 months in older, used French oak. The wine is totally dry and it completed malolactic conversion.

“For Heaven’s Sake” is unfined, unfiltered, and the color of a tequila sunrise! Explosive aromas of raspberries, papaya, flaky pastry, and black pepper greet your nose, followed by flavors of juicy raspberries and tangy Rainier cherry. Serve at room temperature.

As with most orange wines, drink cool, but not cold. Pop it in the fridge maybe 30 minutes before pouring, and enjoy.

12.6% alc   •   5.4 g/L TA   •   3.79 pH   •   0 RS (totally dry)