2007 Sokol Blosser Dundee Hills Pinot Noir, 1.5ltr

Sokol Blosser was started by Bill Blosser and Susan Sokol Blosser in 1971, when they planted their first vines in the higher elevations of the Dundee Hills. Recent college graduates with little agriculture experience, the young couple was part of the first wave of modern Pinot Noir winemaking in Oregon. Their first vintage was in 1977. Within a few years their Pinot Noirs were winning international awards, and the estate, having expanded to 72 acres, became part of an early sustainable agriculture movement in the Pacific Northwest. Today Bill and Susan’s children, Alex and Alison, are co-presidents. Alex is also head winemaker. Sokol Blosser makes Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, red and white blends, sparkling wine and a rosé, among other wines.

Dundee Hills AVA is in Yamhill County, and it is entirely contained within the Willamette Valley AVA, Oregon’s best known appellation. Dundee Hills is about 30 miles southwest of Portland, and has 1,300 vineyard acres. It was awarded AVA status in 2004 and, like much of Oregon, is known for Pinot Noir. Several of Oregon’s 20th century wine pioneers established their vineyards and wineries in Dundee Hills, adding to its status as a region long-recognized for producing high quality, iconic Oregon wines. Eyrie Vineyards, Erath Winery and Sokol Blosser remain some of Oregon’s most celebrated producers, and all were founded in what is now Dundee Hills in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

This red wine is relatively light and can pair with a wide variety of foods. The grape prefers cooler climates and the wine is most often associated with Burgundy, Champagne and the U.S. west coast. Regional differences make it nearly as fickle as it is flexible.