Academy
of Wine

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Academy of Wine is Barney Smith. Barney creates rich, full bodied Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Chardonnay, and spicy, fruit forward Pinot noirs at his tiny winery in Southern Oregon.  Although he has made fewer than a thousand cases of wine a year for the last eight years, his wine has become one of the most requested special orders at the store.

His vineyard site gets plenty of heat, the vines are mature, and the wines are reminiscent of Walla Walla Valley products. The Cab and Merlot have deep, dark color and lots of hints of cigar smoke, coffee, and chocolate. Medium bodied, the wines are very reasonably priced for their quality. The Pinot noirs are very accessible, easy drinking, well integrated and fruity.

Barney spearheaded the effort to designate the Applegate Valley, where his winery is located, an official appelation with the BATF. The effrort was successful, and the Applegate Valley is now listed as the appelation for his wines.

Academy's wines are still priced the same as they were eight years ago. Barney told me he has to get around to changing the prices, but he hasn't yet. What has changed is the wines- they really get better each year as the vines age and we continue a succession of great vintages. Academy is one of Oregon's little known treasures- check them out- you'll be glad you did!--jy

Need Wine?

Call us at
541-752-7418
we love to talk
with our customers about
NW wines!

Store manager Ann Crowley-
10-6PM M-Sat

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Cole Danehower on
Oregon Wine

This is the best guide, bar none, to Oregon's wines. Insightful articles, interesting reviews, in depth interviews- you'll find them all here. Worth every penny if you're interested in Oregon wine.

Andy Perdue
on
Northwest Wine

Andy is editor of
Wine Press NW

Check it out!