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94 Points & "Editors' Choice" - Wine Enthusiast

Our 2021 Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir has been awarded a 94-point score and "Editors' Choice" from Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

"This balanced wine has one of my favorite aromas of all time—the caramel and brioche-like cookie scents of a Stroopwafel cookie. These divine scents are joined by red cherries and chalkboard dust. Raspberry, dark chocolate and espresso flavors are supported by velvety tannins and slightly elevated acidity. Editors’ Choice." —Michael Alberty

This score publishes in the October 2023 issue of the magazine and to subscribers at wineenthusiast.com.

92 Points & "Best Buy" - Wine Enthusiast

Our 2021 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley has been awarded a 92-point score and "Best Buy" from Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

"This medium-bodied dazzler is packing some brawny tannins to back rich flavors of red raspberries, bittersweet dark chocolate and a meaty quality similar to baked Thai chicken wings. Equally juicy aromas match blackcap raspberry jam with bursts of coriander and talc. Very difficult to beat for twenty dollars. Best Buy." —Michael Alberty

This score publishes in the October 2023 issue of the magazine and to subscribers at wineenthusiast.com.

91 Points & "Best Buy" - Wine Enthusiast

Our 2021 Chardonnay Willamette Valley has been awarded a 91-point score and "Best Buy" from Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

"Golden Delicious apple and sweet Elberta peach aromas encircle the head, with a touch of thyme and spicy cinnamon basil. This is a crisp, lighter-bodied Chardonnay that delivers white peach, lime and saline flavors on a laser beam of acidity. It will be difficult to resist a second glass. Best Buy" —Michael Alberty

This score publishes in the October 2023 issue of the magazine and to subscribers at wineenthusiast.com.

91 Points & "Best Buy" - Wine Enthusiast Magazine

Our 2022 Pinot Gris has been awarded a 91-point score and "Best Buy" from Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

This score publishes in the October 2023 issue of the magazine and to subscribers at wineenthusiast.com.

90 Points & "Best Buy" - Wine Enthusiast

Our 2022 Pinot Noir Rosé has been awarded a 90-point score and "Best Buy" from Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

This score publishes in the October 2023 issue of the magazine and to subscribers at wineenthusiast.com

94 Points & Wine of the Week - Paul Gregutt

Our 2021 Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir has been awarded a 94-point score and "Wine of the Week" by Paul Gregutt.

"Made consistently since 2017, the Shea bottling gets roughly one fifth new oak. As expected it's big, bold, dark and blocky, with plentiful blackberry and black cherry fruit. I love the texture and depth of this wine, which layers in subtle shades of clean earth, pipe tobacco, black olive, anise, coffee grounds and... well the deeper you dive, the more you find." - Paul Gregutt

93 Points & Outstanding Value - Paul Gregutt

Our 2022 Pinot Gris has been awarded a 93-point score and "Outstanding Value" by Paul Gregutt.

"The fresh, ripe, lively fruit flavors showcase pears in particular, with further highlights of orange and grapefruit. The natural acidity adds a sleek 'cut' to the palate, accented with a hint of wet stone. This wine has the extra 'it' factor that ramps up its intensity and sheer deliciousness. As I have noted in past vintages, this is a fruit-packed white wine for sipping summer and fall. Tasted over three full days, it was one of those bottles that I happily drank down to the last drop. I'd suggest that you hang onto a few bottles for that Thanksgiving turkey." - Paul Gregutt

Paul Gregutt also reviewed our 2022 Pinot Gris in The Times:

"There's Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris. The same grape from two quite different places. If Pinot Grigio conjures up notions of overpriced, underfruited, ubiquitous Italian plonk for you, as it does for me, don't give up on the grape. Oregon Pinot Gris is a different creature entirely. If you have never had a truly brilliant example, here's the one to try... It's a fruit-packed white wine that is perfect for sipping through summer and fall, right on up to that Thanksgiving dinner." - Paul Gregutt

Head Winemaker Heather Perkin Interview

Heather Perkin was interviewed by Linfield University's Oregon Wine History Archive as part of their oral history project to preserve the memories and voices of important figures in wine.

In this interview, Heather speaks about growing up in Australia and her early education in wine. After finishing school, she found an internship at Elk Cove with the intention of boosting her résumé to work in New Zealand or Australia. Instead, she worked her way from intern to assistant winemaker to recently being named head winemaker for Pike Road, Elk Cove's sister brand.

Heather talks about her favorite parts of the winemaking process, and about growing her skills in logistics, blending, and mentoring interns. She also talks about the challenges in her new position and what she's looking ahead to.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Elk Cove Vineyards in Gaston on April 18, 2023.

 

Double Gold - 2023 McMinnville Wine Competition

Our 2018 Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir has been honored with Double Gold Medal from the 2023 McMinnville Wine Competition. 

"The Campbell family, owners of storied Elk Cove Vineyards, are pouring the McMinnville Wine Classic’s top sweet wine at its Pike Road Wines tasting room in downtown McMinnville — the Pike Road Wines 2021 Route 47 Dessert Wine ($25), an Alsace-inspired blend of Muscat, Gewürztraminer and Riesling. Pike Road winemaker Heather Perkin also won a double gold medal for her 2018 Pinot Noir off historic Shea Vineyard." - Eric Degerman

Double Gold & Best Dessert Wine - 2023 McMinnville Wine Competition

Our 2021 Route 47 has been honored with Double Gold Medal and "Best Dessert Wine" from the 2023 McMinnville Wine Competition. 

"The Campbell family, owners of storied Elk Cove Vineyards, are pouring the McMinnville Wine Classic’s top sweet wine at its Pike Road Wines tasting room in downtown McMinnville — the Pike Road Wines 2021 Route 47 Dessert Wine ($25), an Alsace-inspired blend of Muscat, Gewürztraminer and Riesling. Pike Road winemaker Heather Perkin also won a double gold medal for her 2018 Pinot Noir off historic Shea Vineyard." - Eric Degerman