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Christina Kelly,
Avalon Wine Senior Editor

Christina Kelly spent the first half of her career as a journalist for daily newspapers and magazines. She left daily journalism to work in corporate marketing/communications, but as a passionate wine enthusiast, she continues to write about the Northwest wine industry (since 1997) for many national publications.

Christina is a multiple fellowship winner to the Professional Wine Writers Symposium in Napa, including 2012. Christina has written for Avalonwine.com for the past 12 years. She can be reached at winewriter@comcast.net.

Jean Yates
Avalon Wine Owner

Jean first worked with the Oregon wine industry in 1989, when she helped develop marketing brochures for wineries in the South Willamette. She then started Avalon, and has supported the industry through her wine shop and web site ever since. Jean enjoys promoting Oregon and Washington wines and bringing Northwest wines to the notice of the wine-loving public across the country. She previously worked in high tech marketing and research in Silicon Valley.

Jean built and continually updates the Avalon web site, writes our Wine Club Newsletter, numerous e-mail articles on NW wine, and articles for the web site. Her twenty five years of experience working with NW wineries and winemakers gives Avalon a deep knowledge of the industry. She's judged NW wine at various competitions since 1997. Jean's favorite activity is photography, and many of the images on the Avalon web site are hers. She's from NC via Palo Alto, and lives in the South Willamette wine country.

June 8, 2010, at 3:16 pm

Oregon Wine – Jay Somers’ Stafford Hill Pinot noir 08

stafford-hill-pinot-noir-275pHere’s a hot commodity – an under $20 Oregon Pinot noir from the esteemed 2008 vintage, made by a highly regarded winemaker with many successful vintages on his resume.

Stafford Hill’s Pinot noir 08 $17.05 (any 12) is made by Jay Somers. He and his winery, J. Christopher, have recently received national press fora new joint venture with famed German winery Dr. Loosen.

Stafford Hill is one of Oregon’s most affordable Pinot noirs. It comes and goes in a couple of weeks in early summer, and is currently selling for $21+ elsewhere across the country. Second label for Holloran Winery, Jay also makes their wines.

“Quite nice once it gets some air. Delicate aromas of crumbly earth, cherry, and orange peel. The bright flavors of the same, along with a pinch of peppery spice, show good length. Brisk yet gentle acidity and smooth, medium-light texture.” – Wicker Parker, on Cellar Tracker

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