in 2015 I stumbled upon a few tons of available Pinot Meunier. Meunier is not a well-know variety but it is a very close relative to pinot noir and is widely planted in Champagne. It is not, however, widely planted in Oregon, so when I found some I jumped at the chance. It is a small nine acre site that was planted in 1985 by an amazing family and I don’t ever plan on not making Pinor Meunier.

2021 was a beaUTIFUL GROWING season - with two extraordinary heat events. Young, unirrigated vineyards had a very difficult time withstanding those temperatures, but older vines with their deep roots managed to thrive. Such was the case at Rainsong vineyard. Fruit arrived in their old pickup truck and trailer the last week of september looking as beautiful as ever. As always fruit from Rainsong vineyard did not need sorting. It was fermented and placed into barrel where it sat for 22 months.

This wine is more elegant than pinot Noir with lithe, silky tannin and lively acidity.