OPB had a wonderful story about Oregon sparkling wine that I wanted to share with you in honor of New Year’s Eve. It’s time to learn more.
About Oregon Sparkling Wine
According to the OPB story, “In November, Wine Enthusiast released its list of the 100 best wines of 2024 across varietals and the globe. Five of the wines were from Oregon — and they were all sparkling. One of them even took the very top spot on the list, from ROCO Winery in Newberg. That wine: ROCO 2013 RMS Brut Delayed Disgorgement 10-Year Sparkling.” Wow. I’m new to the Pacific Northwest, and I had no idea. I’m a big fan of sparkling wine, so I have good work ahead of me 🙂
Argyle Winery in Willamette Valley started making ROCO sparkling wine in 2013. “With a focus on longevity and quality, Argyle’s sparkling wines are designed to age gracefully, gaining complexity over time. Our Tirage Library, housing vintages dating back to our first year [(1987)], is a testament to this commitment. This dedication has earned Argyle the distinction of producing the highest-rated sparkling wines outside of Champagne, consistently showcasing the unique character and quality of our cool-climate terroir.”
There are more than 1,100 wineries across Oregon, with the majority in the Willamette Valley. While Willamette Valley is known for Pinot Noir, more than 100 of these wineries make sparkling wine.
The story/article indicates that from “2022 to 2023, the portion of Oregon wine sales that was sparkling essentially doubled.” At the end of 2023, eight to 10 percent of all cases (which is the equivalent of 500,000 bottles) of Oregon wine sold was sparkling wine.
Other Oregon Sparkling Wines to Look Out For
- CHO Wines is the first Korean American-owned winery in Oregon.
- Eyrie Vineyards Sparkling “is pure fun—vibrant, fresh, and approachable.”
- Dolores NV Sparkling Pinot Gouges Blanc is made from the rare OR grape called Pinot Gouges Blanc.
- 2021 Cramoisi Blanc de Noirs is influenced by biodynamic farming.
I hope you get to enjoy some Oregon sparkling wine very soon.
Happy New Year!
