Orr Wines Oregon Pinot Noir
WHY WE LOVE IT
- The Orr Oregon Pinot Noir is sourced from Leland Vineyard, a four-acre dry-farmed site located in Oregon City, in the northern part of the Willamette Valley. Dry farming promotes deep root growth, leading to concentrated flavors and sustainable vineyards.
- The own-rooted vines enhance flavor concentration, showcasing the unique character of the grapes and the terroir.
Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir
Elaboration: The fruit was hand-picked and brought to the Washington winery. The team selected clusters for a 12% whole cluster component and destemmed additional fruit. After 11 days on the skins, they pressed the mixture and settled it before racking into 9 barrels. The wine underwent malolactic fermentation in barrel and aged for 18 months before being bottled unfiltered.
Tasting Notes: “This is big and juicy Oregon Pinot, offering loads of black tea and exotic spices alongside heady red and dark fruits. Deftly textured, with good acidity, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2025-2035” -Owen Bargreen
PRESS
2023 – 93 Owen Bargreen
PRODUCER BACKGROUND
At a bar in San Francisco in 1998, Erica Orr met winemaker Aaron Pott who convinced her that winemaking was the coolest job in the world. She took a vacation from her lab tech job at UCSF to work harvest with Cathy Corison while applying to the master’s program at Davis. She was hooked and there was no turning back.
Erica honed her craft working at some of the best wineries in the world: Rudd Estate, Cain Vineyard, Domaine Dujac and Yering Station. In 2005, she moved to Washington state and started an independent winemaking consulting and enology business in Woodinville, where she helped wineries like Baer, Mark Ryan, Guardian, Sparkman and others rack up 90+ point scores and now two Spectator Top 100 wines. In 2013, Erica decided the time had come to create a wine all her own. The inaugural and limited release of Orr Wines − 116 cases of old vine Chenin Blanc − came into being with the generous help and goodwill of the Woodinville winemaking community.