2022 Gargantua Oregon Syrah

Bergstrom Wines is located in Oregon’s famous Willamette Valley, the heart of Oregon’s Pinot Noir country. Though the winery is young, having produced its first vintage only in 1999, it is already winning accolades from critics and connoisseurs. Owned by John and Karen Bergstrom, the estate includes a total of 37 acres planted to Pinot Noir and 5 acres planted to Chardonnay. Prior to creating the winery’s first vintage, son Josh Bergstrom spent time in Burgundy learning winemaking and vineyard practices. The winery is organic and prides itself on artisanal winemaking.

Oregon is the fourth largest producer of wine in the U.S., after California, which produces nearly 90% of all wine made in the U.S., Washington State and New York State. Though winemaking in Oregon started in the 1850s, thanks in part to several German immigrants who planted German wine grapes, as in other American wine regions the Oregon industry folded in the beginning of the 20th century during Prohibition. Starting in the early 1960s modern winemaking pioneers planted vineyards in south central Oregon and the more northern Willamette Valley. Pinot Noir did well in the cool microclimates of Oregon, and by the late 1960s the state was already earning a reputation for its artisanal Pinot Noirs. By the 1970s innovative Oregon viticulturalists were traveling to Burgundy for Pinot Noir clones, and to Alsace for Pinot Blanc clones. Today the state has about 20,000 acres planted to wine grapes and more than 400 wineries. Pinot Noir remains the state’s most celebrated wine, followed by Chardonnay, Riesling and Pinot Gris. The Willamette Valley just south of Portland is Oregon’s most acclaimed wine producing region.

This grape is grown in milder climates and produces a medium-to full-bodied wine. It is also known as Shiraz, but should not be confused with Petit Sirah, which was developed by crossing Syrah with Peloursin.