Saturday, August 2, 2014

Left Coast Cellars - Oregon Trail

Driving across the Willamette Valley on a beautiful July day we arrived at Left Coast Cellars  in Rickreall, Oregon, to enjoy some great wine tasting. 

We were greeted on our arrival by Suzanne, one of the owners, who welcomed us to her cellars and vineyard. She is rightfully proud of the vineyard and the operation.  This winery is a showplace--adorned with flowers and bees, and 130 acres of vineyards surrounding a great tasting room and outgoing friendly people. And great wines--did I mention the wines?
Left Coast Cellars Tasting Room

This is one of those not to be missed wineries in the Willamette Valley. The atmosphere is enjoyable, the diversity of the wines is solid, and the quality is superior. Jen guided us through our tasting and she was very knowledgeable about the wines and the operation of the vineyard. She was able to answer my myriad of questions while also presenting the wines in the best possible manner. I appreciated her enthusiasm and love of the wines produced. While we were there the vineyard manager, Luke, also stopped by for a visit and a chat. He is rightfully proud of the wines produced by Left Coast Cellars. 

The day we visited, six wines were being tasted. We felt that the 2013 Orchards Pinot Gris, $18, was an especially good buy. It had a nice fruity nose of peach and pear with bright flavors and good acidity and minerality. 

Another good buy was the 2013 White Pinot Noir, $20, which we found to be unique and smooth with tropical fruit, peach and pear. It was a very enjoyable wine which should be very good with a wide variety of foods and cheeses. A nice summer time wine.

One other wine, which was not on the scheduled tasting, but which we were able to taste was the 2012 Cali's Cuvee Pinot Noir, $24. This wine was a real treat with lots of cherries and plums with hints of floral flavors and good acidity to make a very nice wine. 
Flowers at Left Coast Cellars

There is more to this winery than just the wines. There is a kitchen which offers a variety of sandwiches and some very nice chocolate candies. There is an outside seating area to purchase a bottle of wine and enjoy a sandwich. The vineyards are very scenic with walking paths and trees. This may be one of the most scenic vineyards that we visited during out visit to the Willamette Valley to enjoy Oregon wine tasting. 

RECOMMENDATION: Do not miss this winery during a Willamette Valley wine tasting tour. The wines all have great price points and the beauty of the winery and surrounding area must be experienced. 

-- Bob and Christina Doan, Elkridge, MD

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