Rickreall, OR – Eola Hills Wine Cellars is proud to announce a bevy of new white wine accolades from the esteemed reviewer, Paul Gregutt, of Wine Enthusiast Magazine. The praise is slated to appear in the February/March double issue on sale starting February 16, 2021 and online now.
Longtime winemaker, Steve Anderson, notes that while Pinot Noir has captured the hearts and attentions of many Willamette Valley wine lovers over the years, our region’s terroir creates the perfect playground for white wine production.
“Much ado is made about the finesse of red wines – in particular Pinot Noir. I feel there is a greater challenge in making a complex, refined white wine. Often lacking the tannins from the skins, due to whole cluster pressing, you have to hit the mark by properly determining what to plant and where, when to pick and how hard to press. Then it is up to me and my crew to protect its natural profile,” said Anderson.
“After 35 years in winemaking in this region, we also know our customers enjoy trying new wines and new styles just as much as we do. Our mission is to showcase our region, grow good grapes and create supreme examples of Oregon wines and ensure they are accessible.”
Anderson began his career in winemaking as a cellar rat at Eola Hills Wine Cellars in 1993 and has been head winemaker since 2000. With a background in horticulture and a scientist at heart, his experimentation with growing and crafting various wine varietals and styles has led to Eola Hills Wine Cellars’ diverse portfolio including traditional method sparkling Müller-Thurgau, skin contact Pinot Gris offerings, white Pinot Noir, and vineyard-designate Sauvignon Blanc and Gewürztraminer from the Eola-Amity Hills AVA.
Considered an early pioneer in the production of Pinot Gris, Eola Hills Wine Cellars is excited to see Willamette Valley representations of this beloved varietal continue to receive praise and recognition with its most recent release, 2019 Classic Pinot Gris, given 92 Points and a “Best Buy” rating.
New Wine Enthusiast Scores & Accolades
92 Points, “Best Buy” – 2019 Classic Pinot Gris ($14) SHOP NOW
91 Points – 2018 Barrel Select Reserve Chardonnay ($25) SHOP NOW
90 Points, “Best Buy” – 2019 Classic Gewürztraminer ($14) SHOP NOW
90 Points, “Best Buy” – 2019 Classic Riesling ($14) SHOP NOW
90 Points – 2017 Classic Chardonnay ($14) SHOP NOW
Founded in Oregon’s Eola-Amity Hills in 1982 by former agricultural insurance specialist Tom Huggins, Eola Hills Wine Cellars’ story began as grape growers which quickly led to entering the Willamette Valley winemaking game with its first vintage in 1986. More than 30 years later, Eola Hills Wine Cellars is one of the state’s largest heritage wineries, with more than 300 acres of sustainably, dry-farmed vineyards. Still locally owned and operated and Eola Hills Wine cellars is rooted in its mission to create highly acclaimed wines at a great value.