Illahe Pinot Gris 2019, Willamette Valley, Oregon

Illahe Vineyard is an 80-acre, south-facing hill slope that was purchased in 2000 and first planted in 2001 with 22 acres of Pinot Noir. Today the vineyard has seven varieties and 50 acres of Pinot Noir with 60 acres planted. Illahe Vineyards also uses estate fruit from the Glenn Creek Vineyard in West Salem. Illahe Vineyards is one nine vineyards situated in the Mount Pisgah area. In this prime grape-growing region, 92.1% of the soil is comprised of silty clay loam – unique to this area only. The 2019 Illahe Pinot Gris is layered with complex fruit and starts with notes of crisp Granny Smith apple, bright lemon zest, and hints of clove, paired with light notes of papaya and starfruit. Part of the fruit from the 2018 Pinot Gris is from the estate vineyard and part is from the neighbors at Erratic Oaks Vineyard. Both sites are heavily influenced by the Mount Pisgah weather patterns and soil structures. It is also influenced by the neutral oak it is vinified in, which adds creaminess and texture with lingering flavors of almond butter and a spicy finish of cardamom.