Airlie Winery Pinot Blanc
WHY WE LOVE IT
- The Airlie winery and their estate vineyard, Dunn Forest, are live certified sustainable and Salmon Safe.
- The vineyard is hand-cultivated, allowing them to respond to individual vine needs.
Varietal Composition: 100% Pinot Blanc
Elaboration: The grapes were hand harvested and immediately destemmed and pressed off to minimize skin contact. Pressing decisions are done by taste and the cycle was stopped at just over one bar of pressure in order to minimize potential phenolics. After four days of settling, the juice was racked off its lees and inoculated. Stainless steel fermentation with temperatures being kept at 55 degrees to 58 degrees Fahrenheit lasted about two weeks until the wine was nearly dry, while still maintaining its lovely tropical nose. The wine was cold stabilized, crossflow filtered and bottled under screwcap.
Tasting Notes: The Airlie Winery Pinot Blanc opens with lovely floral aromas and a touch of spice. Flavors of Asian pear with notes of lemon zest lead into a well-balanced wine with bright acidity. It has a medium body and rich flavors.
PRESS
n/a
PRODUCER BACKGROUND
Airlie winery and the estate vineyard were purchased by Mary Olson in 1997. She was joined by winemaker, Elizabeth Clark, in in 2005. Susan Simons, marketing and sales, joined the time in 2018. Sebastian (2003) and Gustavo (2012) round out the Willamette Valley’s best vineyard crew. Airlie Winery is nestled in the coastal mountain range on the western edge of the Willamette Valley, the inviting setting, complete with a picnic area and pond, extends any plans for just a brief stop. Located in the Heart of the Willamette Valley, Corvallis, Salem, Albany, Dallas and Monmouth are just a short drive away.
Today they have thirty acres of grapes consisting of nine varietals; Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Müller Thurgau, Gewürztraminer, Maréchal Foch, and Muscat Ottonel. Sixty-five percent of the grapes used in making Airlie Wines come from their own vineyards. BeckenRidge Vineyard, located 20 miles away west of Dallas Oregon, supplies the remaining grapes.