In the early days of Oregon's wine industry, people grew everything. From Auxerrois to Zinfandel, growers tried them all. Success varied from spectacular to not so much.

One of the most successful experiments was Gamay noir, a varietal famously grown in Beaujolais. But in the days when Oregon wine was completely unknown outside the state, winemakers focused on the more popular and profitable Pinot noir. Most of Oregon's Gamay vines were pulled out by the end of the 1990's. Today, a few Oregon wineries grow and make highly regarded Gamay noir from several small blocks of grapes.

The oldest block of Gamay noir is located at Seven Springs Vineyard. Evening Land, the new owners of the vineyard, have improved its health and produced two fascinating and delicious Gamay based wines.

Something different from Oregon - and well worth trying!

Evening Land Vineyards
Celebration
Gamay noir 09 $19.94

$17.95

any 12 bottles

See all Evening Land Wines

Great weight. Fresh, crushed raspberries are shaded with dark cherries and cracked pepper in a juicy wine with great weight.

100% whole clusters, handled traditionally. - Marcus

From the Oldest Gamay noir vines in the Willamette Valley, planted in 1983. Evening Land's Gamay is inspired by the great Crus of Beaujolais like Morgon and Mouline-a-Vent. Only 300 cases produced.

Evening Land Vineyards
Celebration Les Gamines 09 $24.95

$22.45

any 12 bottles

See all Evening Land Wines

Raspberry cream and flowers open to darker, broader palate and finish, still showcasing the peppery nature of the Gamay and the silkiness of the Pinot. You could drink this for breakfast. - Marcus

60% Gamay noir and 40% Pinot noir (Pommard clone). Only 118 cases produced.

Since 1996

Northwest Wine Clubs

from Oregon & Washington Wine Specialists

Oregon Reserve Pinot Noir Club

$80/shipment - or save with one year membership

The highest rated collectable Oregon Pinots, year after year. Established stars like Beaux Freres, Bergstrom, Soter, Brick House. Cult wines like Dusky Goose, Black Cap, Shea Homer. Rising stars like Arterberry Maresh, Et Fille, Grochau, Crowley.

Northwest Big Reds Club

$80/shipment - or save with one year membership

The Wine Spectator 97 point Owen Roe Chapel Block Syrah 07 was a Big Reds Wine Club selection this spring. Highly rated wines from Owen Roe, Andrew Will, Mark Ryan, and Betz. Rising stars like O'Shea Scarborough, Abeja, Trust, and Reynvaan.

Northwest New Discoveries Club

$40/shipment - or save with one year membership

New wineries, new winemakers with insider buzz - you'll be the first to know. We sent some of the first wines of Arterberry Maresh, Evening Land, Owen Roe, Illahe, Crowley.

Re-order Club Wines for 15% off

If you were following us
on Twitter or Facebook,
you'd already have seen:

Russ Raney sold Evesham Wood
Winery to Erin Nuccio

Dick Erath has a new winery
in Arizona

The new Wine Spectator scores for 2008 Oregon Pinots

Links to articles on Belle Pente, Spindrift, Erath's winery,
$7 Oregon Pinot

AvalonWine.com:
The most comprehensive selection
of Oregon's 2008 Pinot noirs

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Matt Kramer on Westrey Wines
Evesham Wood Winery sold to Erin Nuccio, Haden Fig
Dick Erath's Arizona winery
Contest for a bottle of the Wine Spectator 97 point
Owen Roe Chapel Block Syrah 07
Oregon only Bruno Pinot noir 09 release
Evening Land's Summum Chardonnay news
Beaux Freres/Coattails/Horsetail
Wine Spec Oregon Pinot noir Scores
Arterberry's Monikers
John Abbott's a Younger Oldster in Walla Walla
Second Generation Winemakers
Brick House - new 2008's - Boulder Block!
David' O'Reilly on 2009 vintage