If you missed it, I am recapping our recent trip to Oregon. Day 1 is here and Day 2 is here! Make sure you check them out! Day 3 was probably my favorite on the whole trip. The views were breathtaking and the wine was even better.
We started the day at White Rose Estate. This was by far my favorite winery we visited the whole trip. The tasting experience, ambiance, view, and wines were all top-notch. White Rose produces only whole cluster Pinot Noir, they focus on a Neo-Classical Winemaking approach. The goal of Neo-Classical Winemaking is to produce wines that respect varietal character, convey a sense of beauty, and produce an emotional experience. White Rose offers two different tastings; The Explorer’s Tasting Experience for $25 and The Collection Tasting Experience for $40. I suggest you try both so you can taste more of their delicious wine. Their production is small, only 3-4,000 cases. Some of our favorites included their 2017 Convivial Feast, 2017 AVA Series, and 2016 Neo-Classical Objective. Each wine was so delicious and unique. This was such an educational tasting experience since every Pinot was so unique based on the vines location. Post tasting, we had two espressos which took us back to our time in Italy.
Our next tasting was right down the road at Domain Drouhin. Founded in 1987, Domain Drouhin was started by a French family – the first French family to invest in Oregon. This tasting experience was so unique because they take you through a guided tasting of wines from their Dundee Hills and Eola-Amity Hills Estate. You taste side-by-side so you can taste the difference between sites, a 25 mile gap which makes a huge different when it comes to wine! For $25, you taste two Chardonnays and four Pinot Noirs. The wines from the Eola-Amity Hills Estate were richer and had a heavier style. We loved wines from both estates however and our favorites included the 2017 Domain Drouhin Chardonnay Arthur, 2017 Domain Drouhin Pinor Noir Laurene, and the 2017 Drouhin Oregon Roserock Pinot Noir.
Next up was at Penner Ash Wine Cellars. We had such a nice time sitting outside during our seated tasting, the view was breathtaking. I was able to nerd out looking at soil samples. The two most common soils in the Valley are Jory which is volcanic soil and Willakenzie which is marine sediment. Penner Ash produces 15,000 cases but half of that goes toward their Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. The tasting experience is $40 for a sample of six wines. We fell in LOVE with their Viognier which you do not see much of in Oregon. They produce theirs in concrete and steel so it is so fruity and virbrant! I was also a fan of their 2017 Bella Vida Vineyard Pinot Noir.
I have nothing but amazing things to say about Domain Divio, our final winery of the day. You will have a Burgundian experience in an Oregonian setting. Bruno, the wine maker, believes in minimal intervention. He wants his wine to reflect the land. Producing less than 2,000 cases, this boutique winery is a gem. Our tasting experience was phenomenal, their Pinot Beurot and their Willamette Valley Pinot Noir were some of our favorites. Their tasting flight is $20 for a generous sample of five wines. Our tasting attendant, Sara, was amazing. She picked beautiful wildflowers from their flower garden for me which happen to be the most gorgeous flowers I have ever received. Their hospitality absolutely blew me away!
For dinner that night, we headed to Nicks Italian Cafe. We had heard from the grape vine that you have to order their burger. The burger is not listen on their menu but if you go, GET IT. It was one of the most delicious burgers I have ever eaten! Zach went the pasta route and enjoyed their Pork and Beef Ragu. We couldn’t resist dessert so we indulged in their chocolate budino! This was just the meal to end our day!
Another fabulous day in Oregon wine country. I went to bed so happy and full! Our final day will be up on the blog soon. Until then, follow me @sipsandtripswithpaige for all up-to-date wine information!
Cheers, Paige
Sips and Trips with Paige 
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