My sidewalk permit came through so tables are out and ready for some rosé consumption and people watching on 28th. I have 5 wines by the glass and only a $10 corkage fee for any bottle in the shop!
We will have Kate from Petite Monde here next Wednesday the 30th 5 - 7pm pouring some French wines from her portfolio. I'm also excited to announce Patricia Green Cellars will be pouring here Wednesday, May 21st 5 -7pm.
Let's continue the grape-series flight and focus on Temprañillo this Friday 4 - 8pm $12 for a flight of 5 wines with 3 additional pours for purchase.
Temprañillo is one of Spain’s oldest and most important grape varieties, with a history dating back over 2,000 years to the time of the Phoenicians and Romans. Its name comes from the Spanish word temprano, meaning "early," referencing the grape’s early ripening nature. Traditionally grown in the Rioja and Ribera del Duero regions, Temprañillo has long been prized for its deep color, balanced acidity, and ability to age well in oak barrels. Over time, it has become a cornerstone of Spanish winemaking and has also gained popularity in other wine regions around the world, including Portugal (where it's known as Tinta Roriz), the United States, and Australia.
In recent years, Temprañillo has found a promising home in Oregon and Washington State, where winemakers have embraced its potential in the Pacific Northwest's diverse climates. In Oregon, particularly in the warmer southern regions like the Umpqua and Rogue Valleys, Temprañillo thrives with rich, earthy flavors and balanced acidity. Washington’s warmer sites, such as the Yakima and Walla Walla Valleys, also offer ideal growing conditions, producing bold, structured wines that reflect the grape’s Spanish heritage while showcasing the region’s unique terroir. As interest grows, Temprañillo is becoming an increasingly significant player in the Northwest wine scene.
Eguren Ugarte 2021 Cosecha Rioja Spain $14 - This black cherry-colored wine has a bouquet of cassis and black olive paste. It does not feel well-integrated, with flavors of cassis, cranberry, mint, and orange zest swirling around aggressive tannins and overly assertive acidity.
Peciña 2022 Rioja Cosecha Tinto Rioja, Spain $16 - Bright garnet red, with deep color and clarity which gives it a bright sheen in the glass - hinting at its deep fruit characteristics but also freshness. This one is full of fruit, but with amazing balance, and good acidity so it's not overwhelming.
Luberri 2023 Rioja Orlegi $17 - Luberri Orlegi is the reference point for traditional, light-bodied, fruit-forward wines of Rioja Alavesa. Lots of juicy dark red fruit with light acidity and pops of spice.
Quinta Milu 2023 Ribera del Duero, Spain $20 - Organic, hand harvested Tinto del Pais aka Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, foot stomped and fermented with native yeast, then aged for 5 months in different sized barrels, bottled unfiltered with minimal sulfur. Deep dark fruit with earthy leather, salty black olives, and spice.
Holloran Vineyard Wines 2021 Tempranillo "Eola-Amity", Oregon $22 - This wine comes from our La Chenaie vineyard site in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA, located west of Salem near Rickreall Oregon.
Bonus Wines
Illahe 2024 Temprañillo Rosé, Willamette Valley $23 - This Tempranillo is crisp and juicy with notes of strawberry, lemon, watermelon, daffodil, and narsissa. The wine is a beautiful pale coral pink hue from gentle whole cluster pressing immediately after picking and is fermented in acacia puncheons, neutral oak and stainless.
Mendivia Wines 2023 Temprañillo La Guitarra Three Mile Vineyard, Oregon $28 - The Tempranillo block at Threemile Vineyard rests between 1300-1400-ft of elevation and is composed primarily of Cherryhill Silt Loam. It is a steep, sprawling property farmed to organic and LIVE protocols that hosts spectacular views of the Columbia Valley. The wine was fermented for twenty five days on skins and aged in neutral french oak barrels for 10 months.
Ricochet Temprañillo Walla Walla, Washington 2022 $40 - Dark and inky fruit from Les Collines Vineyard in Walla Walla. Bright acid with chewy tannin.