Willamette Valley is host to more than 4oo wineries within its six sub-appellations, including its southern end which hubs around Eugene, Oregon as multifarious viticultural sanctuary for more than 20 wineries. From bigger names (King Estates, Capitello, J. Scott) to small (Territorial, Stanton, Sarver), the South Willamette Valley wineries range from urban settings to reclining hillside vineyards, including Noble Estate Vineyard & Winery. The 15-year-old family-owned and-operated producer has been running its vineyards as LIVE Certified Sustainable and Salmon-Safe since 2010, with an original planting of Pinot Noir going into the ground in 1999. Owls and hawks guard the vineyard and soar overhead the Eugene tasting room, while the lapping shores of the Pacific Ocean welcome guests into a second location on the Yaquina Bayfront in Newport. Noble Estate offers its wine lovers a third tasting room option as well, with a stop in the urban Westside Warehouse District. Producing as many wines as years the winery has been around, Noble Estate’s 2012 Muscat is a unique offering and sight for over-wined eyes.
Winemaker Mark Jurasevich uses early-ripening muscat from Willamette Valley’s Bellpine Vineyard and ferments low and slow in stainless steel tanks to highlight the varietal’s vibrancy and freshness. The semi-sweet, semi-sparkling sipper is a favorite at a number of local seafood competitions, an aromatic wine full of stone fruit (white peach, apricot, Rainier cherries), sweet orange citrus and spring flowers that sings alongside fresh-cracked crab. Easy, smooth bubbles tickle the tongue and are washed clean by acid for a sprightly finish.
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