We are nearing the end of a beautiful harvest here in the Gorge. It looks like a great one.
The vintage has featured unusual weather, but the outlook is quite good...though you never know what you really have 'til months click by.
The McCormicks are optimistic about vintage 2016. Our dedicated team has done a superb job throughout harvest and crush!
We are pleased to release the long awaited (estate)
2014 Idiot's Grace Sangiovese, our first for this food-friendly variety. This workhorse of Tuscany rounds out our lineup of Italian gems. The grapes come from two of our Lyle vineyards: Parker's and Hamm's - the first being our oldest and highest elevation vineyard; the second our newest (2009) on the "North Bank" of the Columbia. Look for it in the Tasting Room mid month. $24
This month we are featuring one of our lead wines,
2014 Idiot's Grace Chenin Blanc. Our Chenin is the only example of this prestigeous international white grape in the Gorge, and one of only a handful of offerings in the Northwest. We don't get it! This is a phenomenal variety that is not well known to Americans, but it is the star of the Loire Valley (Vouvray, Saumur, etc.) in France and of South Africa. It's time to get acquainted...
Dry, fresh, lively, vibrant and fruity, our Chenin Blanc is sheer elegance. Our organically-grown grapes from Idiot's Grace Vineyard in Mosier exhibit the true character of this grape. Light oak from puncheon barrels gives body to our first harvest. Regular price is $28, but we want you to sample this and fall in love - so, it will be
offered at $20 for the month of October. As the holidays approach, Chenin Blanc will be the star of your table.
We're easing back our schedule, as usual, for fall. The Tasting Room will be open Thursdays through Mondays, 11:00-Dark through the next few weeks.
Reminder: there are few finer places to be than on our deck in fall. Fall color, fishermen, trains, cruise boats and barges, plus a few kite boarders. And, it's peaceful in this beautiful spot.
We want to alert you that we are adjusting some prices starting November first. Nothing drastic, but it is time to get back in line with the marketplace. Our vineyards have matured; we have learned an immense amount about the finer points of wine-making for our specific grapes; and we have steadily improved our quality (confirmed by recognition from the trade).
Everything we do is by hand. Organic farming costs more, as do supplies and we pay our excellent staff well. We have conducted an extensive pricing study in the Northwest and here in the Gorge and find that we have not kept up with other top tier producers. It is time to reflect our quality in our prices.
You will find the changes very reasonable, we believe.
So load up on your favorites at current prices before the end of the month.
