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2016 Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir - 93 points from Vinous

Josh Raynolds gave our 2016 Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir a fantastic review of 93 points:

"Brilliant red. A highly aromatic bouquet displays ripe red and blue fruit, star anise and smoky Indian spices, along with a building mineral overtone. Juicy and precise on the palate, offering concentrated, mineral-laced black raspberry, cherry liqueur, rose pastille and spicecake flavors that deepen steadily with air. Delivers an impressive blend of power and delicacy and finishes with mounting tannins and strong, minerally persistence." - Josh Raynolds, June 2019

Vinous has subscribers in over 80 countries and is one of the most respected wine publications in the world. At the intersection of media and technology, Vinous is Antonio Galloni’s vision of a modern-day wine publication. Vinous’s team of renowned critics and writers offers in depth coverage of new releases, retrospectives and verticals of older wines, videos with winemakers, interactive maps, restaurant recommendations and more, all published in a continual, daily stream of articles.

Learn more and subscribe to the reviews at vinous.com.

2016 Fairsing Vineyard Pinot Noir - 93 points from Vinous

Josh Raynolds gave our 2016 Fairsing Vineyard Pinot Noir a fantastic review of 93 points:

"Lurid ruby-red. Ripe red and dark berry, baking spice and vanilla aromas, along with a smoky mineral nuance on the powerfully scented nose. Concentrated black raspberry, cherry cola and spicecake flavors show excellent clarity and become sweeter on the back half. Hangs on with strong tenacity on the dark-berry-driven finish, which is framed by fine-grained, slow-building tannins." - Josh Raynolds, June 2019

Vinous has subscribers in over 80 countries and is one of the most respected wine publications in the world. At the intersection of media and technology, Vinous is Antonio Galloni’s vision of a modern-day wine publication. Vinous’s team of renowned critics and writers offers in depth coverage of new releases, retrospectives and verticals of older wines, videos with winemakers, interactive maps, restaurant recommendations and more, all published in a continual, daily stream of articles.

Learn more and read the reviews at vinous.com

La Dolce Vita Vineyard

The view from the top of La Dolce Vita Vineyard looking southeast toward Bald Peak

La Dolce Vita Vineyards – Passionate owners aspiring to greatness!

A textbook Oregon spring day was the perfect time to get out of the office and explore one of the small, family-owned vineyards where we source our grapes. As a red-tailed hawk screamed above, we jumped on a quad with Scott Hildebrandt, owner of La Dolce Vita Vineyards, for a memorable tour through his gardens and vines.

Dane riding with Scott in his Oregon State themed RTV

In 2012, Scott and his wife Diane shifted gears away from the corporate lifestyle to get back to something Scott had in his blood since birth: farming. As a Master Gardener, Scott’s pursuit of his farming dream did not initially have grapevines in it, but as luck (or fate) would have it, this neglected vineyard property became available and it was just too perfect to turn down. The property offered an idyllic location for their family to set down roots and had stunning views of Bald Peak in the distance.

The beautiful 11-acre La Dolce Vita Vineyard is tucked into a crease of the Coastal Range, hidden in plain sight between Patton Valley Vineyards and Plum Hill Vineyards. Originally part of a dairy farm, one-third of the property was planted to Pinot Gris in 1996, while the remaining two-thirds were planted to various clones of Pinot Noir in 2003 and 2005. The property faces south-east, so the site is ideal for growing flavorful wine grapes, with both steep hillsides for Pinot Noir and softer slopes for Pinot Gris. Along the north side of the property, a natural spring offers an important long-term water source, while the soils are a free-draining mix of marine sedimentary with seams of rounded basalt rocks, adding to the site’s uniqueness and geologic complexity.

Dane found this hunk of basalt or "tractor killer" along the vine row

When the Hildebrandt family took ownership of the property, they knew the site's grand potential. Years of neglect meant the vineyard needed some attention and hard work. Since Scott had no formal viticultural training, he brought in Andy Humphrey who had managed Archery Summit's vineyards in the Dundee Hills. Side by side, Scott and Andy have transformed La Dolce Vita Vineyard into something they are both very proud of. This quick turnaround attracted Elk Cove owner/winemaker Adam Campbell, who had plans to start a new project called Pike Road Wines. Adam was excited about the older Pinot Gris vines, the dedication of the Hildebrandt family and Andy's farming talents. La Dolce Vita Vineyard was also LIVE Certified sustainable, making it the perfect fit for Pike Road Wines.

A ryegrass cover crop

After years of working the land, Scott’s ultimate goal is to turn this incredible, family-owned property into one of the great vineyards of the Willamette Valley. He and Diane are building something special to pass along to their children, and generations to come. With a new AVA approved for the Tualatin Hills region, a passionate family at the helm, and a great vineyard team in place, we have no doubt that Scott’s dream is coming true.

Spending the afternoon with Scott on his incredible property was a real treat. Scott's passion and excitement for La Dolce Vita Vineyards is a perfect example of family-owned vineyards that make Pike Road Wines so special and delicious! You can support La Dolce Vita Vineyard by purchasing our Pinot Gris.

-Dane Campbell | Certified Sommelier & Certified Specialist of Wine | Pike Road Retail Wine Director

Gold Medal for our 2016 Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir

Hooray for Shea! Our 2016 Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir won a Gold Medal in the 2019 McMinnville Wine and Food Classic!

The McMinnville Wine and Food Classic features a panel of idustry judges- this year's panel including writers from the Oregonian and Great Northwest Wine. This year marks the 26th anniversary of the wine competition.

See the full list of winners at macclassic.org

Pike Road Wines Route 47 - Double Gold Medal Winner

Route 47, our delicious dessert wine, was awarded a Double Gold Medal in the 2019 McMinnville Wine and Food Classic!

The McMinnville Wine and Food Classic features a panel of idustry judges- this year's panel including writers from the Oregonian and Great Northwest Wine. This year marks the 26th anniversary of the wine competion. 

See the full list of winners at macclassic.org

 

2016 Zenith Vineyard Pinot Noir Wins Gold

Our 2016 Zenith Vineyard Pinot Noir received a Gold medal in the 2018 Northwest Food & Wine Festival!

Founded in 2004, the NW Food & Wine Festival showcases high-end wines, foods, spirits and beers for both foodies and industry experts alike.

This score is posted online at www.nwwinefestival.com

2016 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir - 90 points from James Suckling

Our 2016 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir received an outstanding 90 points from James Suckling. Read the full review below:

"An attractive and slightly toasty nose with vibrant, ripe red-cherry and plum aromas. The palate has a very plush, raspberry and red-cherry core with succulently tangy acidity. Drink now. Screw cap." - James Suckling

JamesSuckling.com uses a 100-point scale, with 90 points or more being outstanding. "It’s a wine I want to drink a glass of and is an outstanding purchase." - James Suckling 

This review was published 11/30/2018 at www.jamessuckling.com

2016 Chardonnay - 91 points from James Suckling

Our 2016 Chardonnay received an outstanding 91 points from James Suckling. Read the full review below:

"This has a very fresh array of pear and apple-pastry aromas, leading to a smoothly delivered palate with attractive build and depth. Holds fresh and neat. Drink now. Screw cap." - James Suckling

JamesSuckling.com uses a 100-point scale, with 90 points or more being outstanding. "It’s a wine I want to drink a glass of and is an outstanding purchase." - James Suckling 

This review was published 11/30/2018 at www.jamessuckling.com

2016 Zenith Vineyard Pinot Noir - 91 points from James Suckling

Our 2016 Zenith Vineyard Pinot Noir received an outstanding 91 points from James Suckling. Read the full review below:

"This has a very fresh and fleshy array of fine red fruit that really lights up the palate, amid keenly detailed and juicy, long tannins. Super fresh finish. Drink now. Screw cap." - James Suckling

JamesSuckling.com uses a 100-point scale, with 90 points or more being outstanding. "It’s a wine I want to drink a glass of and is an outstanding purchase." - James Suckling 

This review was published 11/30/2018 at www.jamessuckling.com

2016 Xander-Taryn Vineyard Pinot Noir - 92 points from James Suckling

Our 2016 Xander-Taryn Vineyard Pinot Noir received an outstanding 92 points from James Suckling. Read the full review below:

"This offers a very plush, succulent and deeply flavorsome array of bright, red-cherry flavors and a lithe, juicy and elegant feel on the palate. Superb focus of fine red cherries here. Drink now. Screw cap." - James Suckling

JamesSuckling.com uses a 100-point scale, with 90 points or more being outstanding. "It’s a wine I want to drink a glass of and is an outstanding purchase." - James Suckling 

This review was published 11/30/2018 at www.jamessuckling.com