News

2018 Chardonnay Awarded 91 Points & Editors' Choice

Our 2018 Chardonnay was awarded an excellent 91 points and selected as an Editors' Choice wine by Wine Enthusiast Magazine!

"This is a richly fruity wine, with apple, pear and kiwi flavors in abundance. It softens up on the midpalate, with a spicy cinnamon kick through the finish. The length, balance and big fruit flavors are impressive." - Editor, Paul Gregutt

The full review will post in the October 2019 issue of the magazine and online at winemag.com.

2017 Meyer Pinot Noir: 92 Points in Wine Enthusiast

Our 2017 Meyer Vineyard Pinot Noir was awarded an excellent 92 points by Wine Enthusiast Magazine! 

"Fully ripened black cherry fruit anchors a supple, sexy wine that is accented with scents of bourbon tea. There's a streak of coffee liqueur also, and perfectly ripened tannins to pull it all together." - Editor, Paul Gregutt

The full review will post in the October 2019 issue of the magazine and online at winemag.com.

Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir: 93 Points in Wine Enthusiast

Our 2017 Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir was awarded an excellent 93 points and selected as an Editors' Choice by Wine Enthusiast Magazine!

"This wine is loaded with raspberries, blackberries, cherries and preserved lemons, dotted with baking spice and finished with a touch of chocolate-covered orange peel. It may sound like dessert, but it's a thoroughly delicious dry-red wine that will add to the enjoyment of any pork, lamb or poultry entrée." - Editor, Paul Gregutt

The full review will post in the October 2019 issue of the magazine and online at winemag.com.

Heather Perkin's Staff Pick: Our 2017 Sidekick Cuvée

"I'm super excited about our 2017 Sidekick Cuvée - we finally have a name for this wine, previously known as our "white label." It's a sidekick to our Willamette Valley Pinot Noir.

One of my most enjoyable roles is tasting through our French oak barrels at blending time. There's always a few barrels from different vineyard sites that blend together in harmony - meaning they don't fit the single-vineyard program. While they would be a fabulous addition to the Willamette Valley Blend, we are fortunate to do an additional label - the Sidekick Cuvée - to highlight a blend that is more fruit-forward, jumping out of the glass at a stellar price!

I hope you enjoy it as much I as enjoyed making it/blending it. Cheers!" - Heather Perkin

2017 SIDEKICK CUVÉE - $18 through August 2019 (normally $20)

The 2017 is a blend of Willamette Valley fruit from several vineyard sites, fermented in small stainless steel open fermenters and matured in 100% French oak barrels.

"Lush and red-fruited, this wine opens with bright plum and violet aromas that lead to a palate brimming with juicy, rounded cherry flavors alongside an earthy, dusty spice and a brambly, smoky tobacco finish."

This small 200 case production wine is only available from our tasting room and wine club. 

BUY SIDEKICK

2016 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir - 90 points from Vinous

Another great review for our 2016 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir:

"Bright red. Displays ripe cherry and black raspberry aromas, along with hints of savory herbs, licorice and lavender. Broad and fleshy in the mouth, showing good depth to its dark berry and bitter cherry flavors, which pick up a spicy quality on the back half. Clings nicely on the gently sweet finish, which features dusty tannins and repeating spiciness." - 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

2016 Zenith Vineyard Pinot Noir - 92 points from Vinous

Josh Raynolds gave our 2016 Zenith Vineyard Pinot Noir a great review of 92 points:

"Shimmering ruby-red. Expansive aromas of black raspberry, cherry cola, baking spices and candied rose. Deep-pitched dark berry and cherry flavors are complemented and enlivened by sexy floral pastille and spicecake notes that build with aeration. Velvety, slow-building tannins lend shape to the very long, sweet finish, which leaves notes of star anise and cola behind." - 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 at vinous.com

2016 Xander Taryn Vineyard Pinot Noir - 92 points from Vinous

Josh Raynolds gave our 2016 Xander Taryn Vineyard Pinot Noir a great review of 92 points:

"Vivid red. Smoke-accented black raspberry, cherry and candied rose scents are complemented by hints of licorice and mocha. Silky, sweet and broad on the palate; juicy red fruit, spicecake and savory herb flavors pick up a hint of bitter chocolate on the back half. Fine-grained tannins add shape to a chewy, persistent finish that leaves behind sappy cherry liqueur and baking spice notes." - 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

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