Wine Wednesdays! Featuring Willamette Vineyards Bernau Block Pinot Noir

Wine Wednesdays is my new, every other week post about wine!  Something new I’ve recently tried, or perhaps an old favorite that I just want to share.  My hope is to introduce you, and maybe me as well, so some new wines, and potential ideas for parings.

For my first Wine Wednesday post, I’m featuring the Bernau Block Pinot Nior from Willamette Valley Vineyards.  I have a special attachment to Oregon, as that is where my parents live now, and I’ve been lucky enough to have been on several Oregon wine tasting adventures with them!  If you’re not familiar with the region, the Willamette Valley is in Northwest Oregon and is known for producing what is considered to be world-class Pinot Noir.  Most of my favorite Pinot Noirs, as well as some of my favorite Pinot Gris’ come from this region.

This was my first experience with Willamette Valley Vineyards wines, and I must say, I was extremely pleased.  This is one of their specialty wines which comes from the original vine plantings at their Estate Vineyard.  It has a beautiful purplish-red color and is very smooth with hints of berries and a slightly smokey finish.  It is definitely drinkable on its own, however paired very nicely with the delicious steak topped with lobster ceviche that my friend made for dinner!

At $55 per bottle this is not an everyday wine for most people, however well worth the price for a nice dinner or special occasion.  I’m looking forward to trying their Pinot Gris in the near future!

Willamette Valley Vineyards is located at 8800 Enchanted Way SE in Turner, OR and has daily flight tastings as well as food and wine pairings.  Based on this bottle the vineyard is definitely on my list of places to visit on my next trip to the Willamette Valley.

Wine samples were provided by Willamette Valley Vineyards/Trellis Growth Partners. Thoughts and options are my own.