Yamhill Carlton AVA Part 1: Meeting Ken Wright, Dick Shea, Mark Huff and Joel Kiff

Having had the opportunity to sit down for a lunch and tasting with four of Yamhill Carlton’s well-respected leaders of the wine industry, I instantly gained an acute appreciation for the standout wines produced in this northwestern portion of Oregon’s famed Willamette Valley. Winemakers Ken Wright (Ken Wright Cellars), Dick Shea (Shea Wine Cellars), Mark Huff (Stag Hollow Wines) and Joel Kiff (of Kiff Vineyard, pouring Denison Cellars ) enlightened my senses and knowledge of an area that boasts some of the finest Pinot Noir vineyards in the world.

Ken Wright Cellars – Barrel Room

Located in historic downtown Carlton, Oregon, Ken Wright’s barrel room is filled with oak barrels stacked high in a pyramid formation. Arriving just before noon, the enticing aromas coming from the kitchen had me excited for lunch. Next to the barrel room’s beautifully impressive double door entrance, a table was set for a tasting, and I was excited to sample the heralded wines produced by Yamhill Carlton’s celebrated winemakers. Before any wine tasting took place, Ken’s wife, Karen, emerged from the kitchen in a chef’s apron, handed me a plate of ambrosial smelling food, and directed me up the stairs that led me to an office with a large window overlooking the barrel room below. I suddenly realized I had incorrectly assumed we’d be having lunch at the table in the barrel room; instead, we joined the Ken Wright Cellars staff in an upstairs office. Sitting at one long table in a family-style gathering, Ken said, “Grace,” which gave way for everyone to dive into their heartily-filled plates of Panko-Crusted Goat Cheese with Kayle Ragout and Lentils – specially prepared by Karen Wright. Apparently, my presence as a wine writer did nothing to spawn this stellar lunch gathering – it’s simply something Karen does on a daily basis for the staff at Ken Wright Cellars.

The delicious Panko Crusted Goat Cheese prepared by Karen Wright

During our sit-down lunch together, along with a special tour of Ken’s very own Abbott Claim Vineyard and a tasting of some of the areas finest wines; including, Ken Wright Cellars, Shea Wine Cellars, Stag Hollow Wines and Denison Cellars, impressive conversation flowed among these highly acclaimed winemakers. I was seriously amazed by their wine growing and winemaking accomplishments – their dedication and hard work to create a sustainable, thriving wine region shines through their keen  memories and inspiring stories.

Visiting Abbott Claim Vineyard with Ken Wright

With as much as I learned during my several hour visit with these four fascinating winemakers, I’ve decided to create a series of pieces that will focus individually on each winemaker and their wines. There’s simply too much important information about this region and these accomplished men to fit into one piece.

looking forward to sharing the review on this stellar Chardonnay

Join me over the next several weeks as I roll out special edition pieces that will highlight these four important Oregon wine industry men. They each have amazing stories and stellar wines that are well-worth detailed reviews and accolades – I look forward to sharing their stories and wines with you, cheers!