Oregon Certified Sustainable Wines - Wine of the Week

by Kristine Hansen, Posted Jun 8th 2010 @ 4:00PM

Going above and beyond organic certification by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and its National Organic Program, the state of Oregon launched its own guidelines for state wineries in February, 2009. Each of the 20 participating wineries depicts a special logo on its bottles so that they are easily recognizable by consumers. According to recent figures from the Oregon Wine Center, 1.94 million wines have achieved the certification thus far.

After the jump, find our eight favorites from eight different producers that carry the Oregon Certified Sustainable Wine label.

2008 Panther Creek Cellars (Willamette Valley Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir, Temperance Hill Vineyard ($40)
As far as Pinot Noir goes, this is a great summertime pick. Lighter in body, with lots of brightness, and tart-cherry notes too, there is also a little bit of violet, cassis, baking spices and cocoa in this wine.

2008 Ponzi Vineyards "Tavola" Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley ($25)
Plum and black-cherry notes intensify on the wine's finish, but even before that there are wonderfully aromatic baking spices, hints of blueberries and spices, and a very balanced profile. Soft tannins make this wine very approachable too.

2008 Ponzi Vineyards Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley ($35)
Compared to the "Tavola" Pinot Noir from this same producer (see above), this one has more body and complexity. Violet and cherry notes mingle with subtle clove flavors and a touch of smoke. A cuvee that sourced from eight different vineyards, all of which are certified sustainable by the state of Oregon, it's a Pinot with excellent value.

2008 Bethel Heights Vineyard Estate Grown Chardonnay, Eola Amity Hills, Willamette Valley ($25)
Floral nose kicks off this beautiful Chardonnay, perfect for sipping outdoors during early summer, and while it waffles between crisp brightness and mineralities, the Meyer lemon on its lingering finish is worth the wait. There's a lot of grape disclosure on the label, something we always appreciate: 67 percent is Dijon Clone and the remaining 33% is Ole Vine Wente Clone.

2008 Wooldridge Creek Winery Applegate Valley Chardonnay ($24)
Candied fruit on the nose (resembling caramelized pineapple) introduces a sweet note which quickly evolves into a smooth palate with vanilla on the finish.

2008 Anne Amie Vineyards Estate Vineyard Riesling, Yamill Carlton District ($20)
This was one of our favorite Rieslings sampled within recent memory. Very food-friendly, it's got a bright and fresh palate but with a surprising jasmine nose. Nice effervescence is spiked with lemon and lime notes, yet mineralities tone it down so that the pineapple that intensifies near the finish has a balanced backbone.

2008 Willamette Valley Vineyards Pinot Noir ($25)
The cork used for this winery's wines is made from cork certified as sustainable by the Forest Stewardship Council. Remarkably smooth in its body and balance, a white-pepper undercurrent in this wine helps it pair well with pizzas or pasta sauces. Notes of ripe raspberries and red cherries also help to put this Pinot in the elegant category.

2008 Amity Vineyards Sunnyside Vineyards Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley ($30)
Sourcing fruit from its oldest supply vineyard, the winery came up with a Pinot that's quite complex. When poured in the glass, the wine is a light garnet color. Packed into the palate are herbaceous and spicy notes, a bouquet of red cherries and a tight finish with bright intensity that also hints at cocoa.

Filed Under: Drinks
Tags: national organic program, oregon certified sustainable wine, oregon wine, sustainable wine