On Sunday, several members of the Kraemer Farms Vineyard Management crew were lucky enough to sample wine made from Kraemer grapes, and without exception they were superb. The east side of the Willamette Valley produces some of the finest white wine around, and last year continued the long-running trend of delectable Pinot Gris vintages from east-side vineyards. Chardonnay from the Cascade foothills has also proven of reliably high quality, and as of this writing we are in the process of planting a few additional acres of Muscat and Sauvingnon Blanc. While the latter is largely produced in New Zealand, South Africa and Chile today, for years now Kraemer Farms has turned out a small quantity of high quality Sauvi, which has been used to make truly impressive wines. It is a commonly-held opinion here that Sauvingnon Blanc is an up-and-coming variety in Oregon, and before long the Willamette Valley will be recognized as the superior source for premium Sauvi. We are also experimenting with Albarino, a variety endemic to the northwestern Iberia Peninsula; while no appreciable plantings are yet on the horizon, it is another variety to keep your eye on.
So keep your eyes peeled: wine from the 2017 vintage are here, and they will make for a perfect compliment to enjoying a long early summer dusk. And the next time your perusing the wine aisle, skip the cheap chemistry wine or the white blends of unknown provenance, and go for something local and delicious, like a crisp, refreshing Oregon Pinot Gris, or a soft, non-buttery Oregon Chardonnay.
