Newsletter November 6, 2002

Shea Vineyard Named
"Gran Cru" Pinot Noir Vineyard
by Wine Enthusiast!

In the October issue of Wine Enthusiast, the magazine lists several vineyards across the world that it calls the best of the world's sources for Pinot noir grapes. The Shea Vineyard was named one of the "Gran Crus".

Shea Vineyard is owned by Dick Shea. It is a 200 acre vineyards in Yamhill County of the WIllamette Valley in Oregon. Shea sells grapes to some of Oregon's best wineries, and the vineyard has a reputation for producing some of the best pinot noirs in the world, from such winemakers as Ken Wright and Mike Etzel of Beaux Freres.

Wine Enthusiast October 2002 says: "Like Pisoni, Oregon grower Dick Shea has also started to bottle his own wine, recently hiring a full-time winemaker—Sam Tannahill, who previously worked at nearby Archery Summit. Shea planted the original 100-acre vineyard in 1988 and 1989 on its own roots, but has been systematically replanting with grafted vines over the past few years in response to phylloxera. And despite the hype over Dijon clones, Shea is sticking largely with Wadenswil. “I like what it does in the Willakenzie soils that we have,” he says.

While Mike Etzel of Belles Soeurs praises Shea’s vineyard management, Shea says the vintners deserve some of the credit. “There’s a bit of competition among the producers,” he says. “No one wants to make the weakest wine.”

That’s good for Shea, and good for consumers.

Acres: 200; 137 planted; 85 producing

Clones: Wadenswil, Pommard, small amounts of Dijon clones

Average Yield: 2 tons/acre

Labels to look for: Belles Soeurs, Ken Wright Cellars, Panther Creek, Patricia Green Cellars, Penner-Ash (starting 2002); Raptor Ridge, St. Innocent, Stevenson-Barrie, Westrey.

Article by Joe Czerwinski

If you'd like to try some wine from the Shea Vineyard, here's a list of available wines:
-->GO!

Jean Yates,
Avalon owner

Jean's
Kitchen Sink
Picks
of the Week

This week it's not so much what is by the kitchen sink as what is in the downstairs bathtub- 3 large carboys of pink wine- late harvest pinot gris, left on the skins to add the color, and unfortunately, fermented to dryness... why unfortunately?

Because the grapes were harvested when they were very ripe and full of sugar, and Ray hoped that the yeast he used would automatically stop fermenting before the sugar was all gone. Well guess what-- no go--- I tasted it, and it's very high alcohol, very low acid, and very young.... hmmm-- we'll see what he does to bring it around, or perhaps it'll be a lovely treat for the compost heap.... I tell you, this winemaking thing is not easy!

Tis the season and I've indulged myself a little this week- above and beyond Ray's incredible chantrelle pizza he made last night, (Ray is the store's pickup and delivery guy). I brought home some wines that I really love, something I normally do not allow myself to do (drinking up the profits is a very real possibility when you own a wine shop!)

Penner Ash Pinot noir 2000, ---- should lay it all down but it's drinking so well, I cellared all but one bottle, just had to have it. I asked Lynn Penner Ash when she knew she had a knack for making wine...and of course, being a good girl, she said she just sees the ways she needs to improve--- well if this wine needs improving I look forward to seeing what else she's planning, because her 2000 Pinot rocks! Maybe she's working for Pinot that's better than Galadriel's Water from the Lord of the Rings or Beowulf's Elixir of the Gods? She's getting close... Her son Cameron took the new pictures on the Penner Ash pages--- I think he has a future as a pro photographer- quite well done, Cameron!

Sineann Baby Poux Cabernet Sauvignon 2001 was my other splurge- just released, it is an inky black huge Cab, David O'Reilly's typical super over the top rich flavors. I'm having it with venison and wild chantrelles. Lucky me!

Hoping you all have a happy holiday and drive safely and don't tailgate and watch out for black ice and slow down and smell the roses- ie, I'm driving to Seattle for Thanksgiving and I'd prefer to not be run down by a crazed holiday goer......

best positive vibes and good calming loving energy to you all, ----Jean