Many prominent Willamette Valley producers source grapes from Shea vineyards: Mark Vlossak of St Innocent and Panther Creek (where he is consulting winemaker), Ken Wright, and Josh Bergstrom, Beaux Freres (the winery partially owned by Robert Parker), and Patricia Green, to name a few. Spadvocator hit the nail on the head this time. MORE >>

He convinced the owner to put Eyrie Willamette Valley Pinot Noir on the wine list, and this was my first experience with Oregon wine. While Josh Bergström of Bergström Winery makes heavily extracted, full bodied and rich pinots that might evoke comparisons to the California "fruit bomb" style of wine making, Mark Vlossak at St. MORE >>

An Oregon Pinot from cult producer Peter Rosback, but not from the Willamette Valley. 2005 Belle Pente Willamette Valley Pinot Gris , $17. Loire Valley 2004 Cazin Cour-Cheverny , $12. California (huh? 1999 Simi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley , $45. This wine was thin, shrill, and green. MORE >>

On Wednesday there was a Crozes Hermitage flight, a Portuguese red flight, a New- World Sauvignon Blanc flight, and a flight of local wines from the Willamette Valley. enjoyed a flute of NV Ampelidae Armance, a Loire Valley bubbly that Nick G. It was pouring on Wednesday in Portland. don't own a car and I don't often drive. MORE >>

Tasted blind, I fingered this for a Central California pinot noir - Sea Smoke or Ojai - something from the Santa Rita Hills. I've never had a Willamette Valley wine that was so fresh or lively, and this at six years of age. Amazingly fresh. sat there holding the cork in my hands wondering how this had stayed so young. MORE >>