2011 St. Innocent Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir

St. Innocent Winery is in Salem, Oregon. It was founded in 1988 by Mark Vlossak, who still owns and runs it. St. Innocent sources grapes from seven Willamette Valley vineyards, including their own estate vineyard. The estate is known for Pinot Noir and makes a number of cuvees. It also produces Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay and a vintage sparkling wine. Wine Advocate has often rated St. Innocent’s wines in the mid to high-90s and notes that “Mark Vlossak continues to turn out some of Willamette Valley’s finest wines…”

Yamhill-Carlton AVA is located in Yamhill and Washington Counties, and it is entirely contained within the Willamette Valley AVA, Oregon’s most prestigious wine producing region. It has 1,200 vineyard acres and was awarded AVA status in 2004. The region grows Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Dolcetto, Muscat, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris. Ken Wright Cellars, Elk Cove Vineyards and WillaKenzie Estate are among the district’s best-known producers. All focus on Pinot Noir.

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.