Ken Wright Cellars 2022 Pinot Noir, Canary Hill Vyrd

The Wine

The volcanic soils of the old-vine Canary Vineyard (planted in 1983 and owned by Karen and Ken Wright) produce a Pinot Noir with a gregarious yet elegant personality. The aromas and flavors favor dark fruits  — ripe blackberry and plum — accompanied by enticing organic notes of fresh turned earth, bramble berries, and orange zest. The tannins are still quite forward, though another few months in bottle will tame them. We anticipate a collectible gem you can enjoy for a decade or more.

13.1% ABV

Fun Side Story

The vineyard is located in the Eola-Amity Hills sub AVA. The word Eola is derived from Aeolus - in Greek mythology, the ruler of the winds. When seeking to farm organically/sustainably, a steady flow of moderate dry winds is your best friend, as it discourages molds and mildews that can threaten the crop. So it seems logical that farmers would name this windy region after the ruler of the winds!

The Winery

Ken Wright started making wine in CA, but moved to OR in 1986 and founded Panther Creek Cellars. A quick decade later, he founded Ken Wright Cellars in 1996. Their early success with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay allowed them to buy the old Carlton Train Station from the 1920s and convert it into their tasting room in 2003. In 2012 they enjoyed the acclaim of having one of their Pinots named the #1 wine in the world by Wine Enthusiast.

The philosophy behind the winery is commendable - long known for their community involvement and support of many local charities. Their farming philosophy is equally notable, as it is nutritionally based, a field of soil science called Nutrition Sensitive Agriculture (NSA). This approach to farming focuses on “feeding” the microbial life that exists deep into the soil. Vibrant populations of microorganisms provide the vine with needed minerals and parent material for healthy performance. They've found this approach yields great returns in the expression of aroma and flavors in their fruit and their wine.