The Pinot Gris That Almost Didn’t Happen
By Kim Silva & Christian Chandler, co-founders
Intern Jackson scooping Pinot Gris grapes to drop into the press.
Good morning, friends! It is harvest and press time!! We are so excited about the grapes we are bringing to you this fall from a variety of interesting vineyards.
Please meet the Pinot Gris that almost didn’t happen. These gorgeous, juicy grapes are going to make a wonderfully crisp white wine for you to enjoy in the spring.
Why did this Pinot Gris almost not happen? Bears!
The first grapes we sourced were growing strong in a small vineyard sitting upon a Southern Oregon mountain, within foraging distance of bears. Two weeks ago we received a text from the grower…the Pinot Gris and Viognier grapes were stripped by hungry bears. And, I was worried about fires destroying the grapes! Nature always has the last laugh. I hope that means there were some very happy, fat, and full bears meandering across the mountain preparing for winter. Now how would we get Pinot Gris for our members?!?
Fortunately, our friends at Portland Urban Wineries Association and Jackalope Wine Cellars came to our rescue to help us secure these beauties for you. This year’s Pinot Gris is sourced from the Dion Vineyard in our own Willamette Valley’s Chehalem Mountains AVA. They are colorful and bursting with juice at press so will create a delightful wine to help celebrate the bursting of spring next year.
After pressing last night, we are racking the wine today. We will pitch yeast and cold-ferment at 60 degrees to preserve and enhance the aromatics. We cannot wait to taste this wine and share it with you!
To secure your Caelestis Cellars small-batch, hand-crafted wine, please visit our website or send an email to Kim.
Every day is a drink-the-good-wine day!
Caelestis Cellars blog posts arrive every 2-4 weeks.
To learn more about Caelestis Cellars, visit our journal.
Caelestis Cellars is a proud member of the Portland Urban Wineries Association.
Pinot Gris juice flowing from the press.
Winemaker Christian Chandler guiding the grapes into the press.
The press half full of grapes.
Pinot Gris grapes from the Chehalem Mountains AVA.
Intern Jackson scooping grapes into the press.
Wine dog Chelsea super bummed that she cannot help with press.
