I Went for the Truffles, but Stayed for the Wine

Oregon Truffles

My first visit to the Oregon Truffle Festival not only introduced me to the shockingly pungent, yet delicious fungi, commonly know as Truffles, but I was also introduced to a couple new Oregon wineries:

Big Table Farm and ColemanVineyard.

While others were taking in the incredibly unique aroma of truffles, I was {yes, I know, big shocker} tasting wine.

Initially, I saw familiar faces standing behind tables lined with bottles of wine: Robin and Danuta Pfeiffer of Pfeiffer Vineyards, Ray Walsh of Capitello Wines and Christian Fox of Patchwork Cellars. But, upon closer look, I noticed a few new faces, so I headed in their direction first.

Big Table Farm Riesling & Pinot Noir

My first stop for sampling some wine was with Big Table Farm. What first caught my attention were the labels on the wine bottles, so I asked the owner and winemaker, Brian Marcy, about the unique labels. Marcy said, “My wife is the artist, she designs the labels.” The label on the first wine I sampled, the Riesling, had a black and white drawing of chanterelles that were found on the farm in the fall of 2009. Big Table Farm is located in Gaston, Oregon, and aside from the help of their two dogs, Clementine and Levi, winemaker Brian Marcy and wife, artist Clare Carver, run the entire show. Marcy’s expertise in winemaking and Carver’s artistic skills (which are really just two of the many hats they both wear) have fused together to  form the perfect team for producing really excellent wine.

• Big Table Farm 2010 Brooks Estate Vineyard Riesling: This unfined and unfiltered Riesling was barrel fermented in neutral oak and aged sur lie. With aromas of flowers and lemons, this wine had lovely fruity flavors with a nice, but mellow, acidity level. Really enjoyable and really limited. Only 90 cases were produced.
• Big Table Farm 2010 Resonance Pinot Noir: Ronnie the Steer, one of Big Table Farm’s farm animals, graces the label of this earthy Pinot with lots of blackberry flavors that flow into a slightly sweet long finish. I absolutely loved it, but this is another limited production, just 125 cases were produced. 

Coleman Vineyard Racy Red Pinot Noir

From Big Farm Table I wandered over to Coleman Vineyard, another winery I had never heard of. Located in McMinville, Oregon, Coleman Vineyard is a small family owned vineyard that makes Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris which are both estate grown and produced. All of the labels on these wines were similar, so my attention was drawn to the lone label that stood out with bright colors and a racing car. I was told that this wine, Racy Red Pinot Noir, was made, with help, by the youngest member of the Coleman family: 11 year old Ryan Coleman.

• Coleman Vineyard 2008 Racy Red Willamette Valley Pinot Noir: Bright fruit shines through this with dominating cranberry flavors and a vibrant and lively finish. It was flavorful, and what else can I say? I enjoyed a wine made by a kid. Keep on eye on this one Oregon, I have a feeling we’ll be hearing more about him as he grows up.
• Coleman Vineyard 2008 Pino Noir Estate Reserve: Aromas include earth, cherries and pie spice, and these are integrated in the flavors with the addition of blackberries. Great depth of character. Full of character and really good, this is an excellent example of the McMinville AVA fruit. 

I can’t finish off this piece without mentioning the fact that the Pfeiffer’s, and although I’m very familiar with their wines, were pouring their 2005 Blue Dot Reserve Pinot Noir. What a treat. In 2007, I bought a case of the ’05 vintage Blue Dot Pinot and enjoyed it so much that the entire case was gone within six months. If only the will power to keep at least one bottle wouldn’t have caved in…