As many readers may recall, last summer’s smoky conditions in the Rogue Valley resulted in the cancellation of a California winery’s fruit contracts with several local vineyards. Lab tests did not support fears of wide-spread smoke taint, but the buyer refused to honor the contracts notwithstanding. The cancellation occurred just before harvest and would have caused significant financial impact if a coalition of Northern Oregon wineries had not stepped in to buy the abandoned crop.

Michael Moore, Co-owner/Vineyard Manager of Quail Run Vineyards, one of the growers with significant tonnage committed to the California buyer, Copper Cane, recalls the shock of finding out his contracts for fruit were canceled just at the height of harvest. Much of the contracted crop registered 26 brix (sugar level) by the time Copper Cane canceled, making it imperative that the fruit be picked immediately if it was to be salable to a new buyer. Fortunately, over many years of selling his fruit to Northern Oregon wineries, Moore had developed close working relationships with wineries in the Willamette Valley. When Copper Cane left Southern Oregon growers in the lurch, colleagues from up north stepped in to buy the abandoned crop.

Moore credits Jim Bernau, Owner, and Christine Clair, Winery Director, of Willamette Valley Vineyards and Ed King, Owner, of King Estate Winery with spearheading the effort to buy up the fruit from the canceled contracts. With the help of Winemaker JP Valot of Silvan Ridge Winery and Jason Lett, Co-owner and Winemaker at Eyrie Vineyards, over 140 tons of fruit formerly destined to be made into Elouan wines, a California brand, have been made into Oregon Solidarity Rosé of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The information below is taken from the tasting notes on the three vintages:

Recently released, the Rosé of Pinot Noir was whole cluster pressed with cold stainless steel fermentation. Tasting notes cite fresh flavors of ripe strawberry, raspberry, rose petal and watermelon, soft tannins and a clean and juicy finish.

Also newly released, the Chardonnay was barrel fermented and aged in 30% new French oak. It is bright with fresh acidity and tropical notes of mango and pineapple with honey and toasted hazelnuts on the palate.

The Pinot Noir is scheduled for release August 1 of this year. Aged in 20% new French oak for six months, it exhibits excellent balance, solid structure and firm tannins. Its intense fruit flavors and nose of cherry, blackberry and spice reflect a warm and dry growing season.

Oregon Solidarity wines will be distributed in Oregon and Washington and some states outside the Northwest including Pennsylvania. Safeway, Albertson’s, Fred Meyer and New Seasons Market have pledged to carry Oregon Solidarity wines.

Net sale proceeds from the wines will be donated to the Rogue Valley Vintners, a non-profit organization made up of wine producers, growers, and community partners with a shared mission to market the Rogue Valley as a premiere wine region. RVV President Ross Allen of 2Hawk Vineyard & Winery regards this north/south collaboration as a significant boon to all concerned. “The Solidarity project is huge in the fact this is the first time anything like this has happened in Oregon or in any other state for that matter. For both regions to come together in the name of “brand Oregon” truly speaks to the caliber of people in the Oregon wine industry. It’s wonderful momentum that we all want to expand on.”

Moore adds that Oregon’s unique brand of north/south collaboration has rightfully gained national recognition for all involved. He hopes the cooperation will continue when it comes to areas of mutual concern such as regulatory issues and marketing. Speaking of these aspirations, Moore says, “I hope there will be recognition that we’re stronger together.”

©Southern Oregon Wine Scene – from the Summer 2019 issue