Oregon's wine industry is increasingly on the rise. What started about 20 years ago as barely a cottage industry has flourished into one of, it not THE, premier spots in the world to plant vines, build a winery and make wine. Winemakers are coming from afar to make Pinot noir. While at the grocery store it may seem a bit ot a clutter in the Pinot section, the increased number of wineries making Pinot has upped the ante in terms of the quality of the wine substantially. Already big names such as Domaine Drouhin, straight from the Burgundy region of Prance, and Beaux Freres, a winery in Newberg partially owned by the world's most influential (even more so than me), respected and loathed wine writer, have made their mark in the past few years. While these wineries are producing some ot the state's most sought after Pinot and certainly some of Oregon's more expensive wine (generally about $30-$37/bottle) there are other new wineries that are worth checking out as well. I've listed a few of my personal favorites. Laurel’s Cannon Beach W ine Shop 263 N . Hem lock (3 0 3 ) 4 3 6 -1 6 6 6 Your picnic headquarters!! We have C am bozola & Stiltan! P a s tr a m i, S a la m i & P r o s c iu tto Too! We bake our own Ita lia n S p ecialty B read s. Picnics for here or to go! Torii Mor Winery: Their first vintage was 1993 and they have been in the market place tor about a year. Located in the building that used to house the fine but ill-fated Arteberry Vineyards, Torii Mor produces high quality Pinot noir, Pinot gris and Chardonnay. The Pinot noir is readily available and goes for about $13/bottle which is an excellent deal for a full bodied, spicy Pinot. The winemaker is Patty Green who has worked in the Southern part of the state for years as a consultant and winemaker for the like of Girardt. Hillcrest and La Garza. Despite being somewhat new to the Pinot game she has managed to round up some older vineyards in the Dundee Hills and the quality of the wine reflects its pedigree. While the '93 wines are quite good (the Chardonnay scored in the top 10% of American Chardonnays reviewed by the Enthusiast) the '94s promise intense excellence. You cant miss the eyecatching label on the shelves and you shouldn't pass up the opportunity to taste wine from an up and coming winery. Check us out, we're worth the drive. 312 Pacific Hwy S. Long Beach, WA Open at 10 AM; Closed Tuesday l-(3 6 0 )-6 4 2 - 2535. Cannon Beach In Coaster Theater Courtyard Established 1977 Featuring Northwest, California & Imported Wines Collector Wines From 1875 Through Current Vintages Featuring Over 1000 Wines Wine Racks, Glasses & Wine Related hems Wine Tasting Every Saturday Afternoon 1-5 PM Different Wines From Around The World Each Week QUIET COTTAGES CLOSE TO BEACH TEMPEST VINEYARDS Keith V. Orr Janitor, Winemak6r, President 9342 N.E. Hancock Drive Portland, Oregon 97220 503/252-1383 YOUR HOST PATRICK KEALEY (503) 436-2237 188 E. VAN BUREN P.O. Box 426 CANNON BEACH, OR Open 11 AM 5 PM - Closed Tues. Brick House Vineyards: This is a brand new winery that just this July released their first wine, a 1993 Pinot noir. The wine is simply outstanding (see the Recommended wines of the month). The vineyard is a certified organic vineyard. Lots of times organic wine means wine that is not so good. Not in this case. Cristom Vineyard's winemaker Steve Doerner (an excellent winemaker, you should check out his Cristom's Pinots, especially the 1992 Reserve) oversaw the production of this wine. It is not clear whether Brick House is a one wine winery or whether they will be releasing Pinot gris and Chardonnay in the future. The vineyard is owned by former CBS News correspondent Doug Tennell. 436-1100 124 N Hemlock P.O. Box 652. Cannon Beach O R 97110 The natu ral choice for clothing - from beach to boulevard. ANTHONY STOFTIELLO = = = = = = = = = = = Architect T4. Sellin Earth friendly architecture Consultant - Educator • Passive solar design Conscientious material use Licensed in Oregon and Washington M undc? ^W O M E N j 215 N. Hemlock Cannon Beach 436-1572 Portland 239-4605 310 Lake S t • FOB 72, Ilwaco, WA 9 6 6 2 4 (2 0 6 ) 6 4 2 -4 2 5 6 Westrey Winery: I am not as familiar with this winery and their wines as I am the other two, but I do know their first vintage (1993) of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay is a good starting place. The Pinot is supple and lush, a trick not everyone has managed to pull off with the 93 s, and the Chardonnay is crisp and clean. One of the two owners/winem akers is Judy Peterson-Nedry who has made wine for the likes of Chehalem, so I would expect more good wine from these folks in the years to come. RENTALS • SALES • TRIPS • CLASSES A N N IE $ KAYAKS Archery Summit: Always save the big guys for last. This winery is owned by the California producer Pine Ridge. The long and short of it is that these folks have big bucks. Big bucks certainly helps in this capital intense business and while it doesn't guarantee good wine it sure as hell doesn't hurt. Archery Summit, located squarely in the Dundee Hills, is looking to break into the Drouhin, Beaux Freres market by producing big, intense, well-oaked wines (their signature style in California with Cabs and Merlots) that sell for $25+. Parker has raved about the wine already so 1 will spare you. It is very good, and very well made. Look for it on the top shelf of your favourite wine shop. S O 3 /3 6 8 -6 O 5 5 > ’ Casual Dining Overlooking the Hestucca River 4 8 7 H W Y 1O1 IN W HEELER, OREGON KAYAKING ENHANCES UVES ART SAVES LIVES Spirits • Hot Sandwiches Fresh Seafood Dinners • Home Baked Desserts Live Music Every Saturday Hight (5 0 3 )9 6 5 -6 7 2 2 pacific c it y , O regon wine was somewhat of a mistake. The story has it that the winemaker was very sceptical about the fruit in the vineyard, let it hang until late in the season and had little hope for it in the barrel -- then, Whammo! Intense raspberry and blackberry flavors in the mid-palate and a gracefully oaked finish make this wine a pleasure to drink. Easily the best wine from the resurgent Secret House I have had. Another good value at about $18. And, hey, they're located in Veneta. Give it a try. R ecom m ended W ines for A ugust: The dog days of summer are upon U5 and while beer and ice tea may seem to be the staples during hot weather don't forget about wine. A good glass of ever so slightly chilled wine (even red) on a warm summer's eve can go down quite nicely. B rick H ouse V ineyards 1993 Pinot noir: A blockbuster wine for sure. Tons of ripe black cherry, and excellent spicy quality throughout and a hint of toast on the finish combine with a well balanced structure to produce one of the best Pinots of the '93 vintage! For a measly $17 you can have a dynamite wine! Has stood out on its own and shined, up against big boys like Chehalem, Ponzi and had better overall flavors to it than Beaux Freres. Find it. K ram er 1992 C h ard o n n ay : Wow! A Chardonnay from Oregon that will really turn your head! Oregon is not particularly noted for lots of good Chardonnay but this one is a winner. 1 found it reminiscent of good French ( hablis (Chardonnay, not the California crap) with lively pear and apple fruits, soft, very appealing earthy spices and even a hint of terroir. Extremely refreshing. I think it runs about $15. S ecret House V ineyards 1993 Pinot N oir: Another excellent new release. Allegedly this ★ ★ ★ Northwest Best Places k m i l «I B ictlU ne« The Wine Spectator 1X17 S. H to U e k 47119 (591)414 -11 79 )0 UNLULFT E.KUIOST W15 f t